Last season’s FA Cup runners-up Chelsea will face Manchester City at Wembley Stadium later today, and the Blues will hope to reach their 15th FA Cup final at the expense of Pep Guardiola’s side.
Chelsea last won the FA Cup in the 2017–18 season, and they will want to stop the Manchester City juggernaut, which is in the running to win a quadruple this season.
Manchester City will be the favourites heading into the game as they have not only been in terrific form in the league and Europe, but also because of their head-to-head record with Chelsea in the FA Cup. The London side have been on the losing end in four of their last five encounters with Manchester City in the FA Cup.
In the only meeting between the two sides this season, Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea Team News: Midfielder Mateo Kovacic will miss the FA Cup semi-final due to a muscle injury. Defender Andreas Christensen is a doubt due to a hamstring injury. Tammy Abraham has been left out of the squad.
#FACup semi-final day!
Let’s go, Chelsea! ✊ #CHEMCI pic.twitter.com/UmR8PgMExU
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 17, 2021
Let’s take a look at the possible Chelsea starting XI for the game against Manchester City:
Predicted Chelsea Lineup vs Manchester City
Goalkeeper
Kepa has played all four FA Cup matches for Chelsea this season and it’ll be interesting to see if manager Thomas Tuchel trusts and plays him in an important game like this. The Spaniard could get the start over the regular ‘keeper, Edouard Mendy in the Chelsea lineup.
Defence
Kurt Zouma could return to the Chelsea defence in place of veteran defender Thiago Silva. Antonio Rudiger should retain his place on the left side of the back three for Chelsea against City.
Captain Cesar Azpilicueta should play as the third centre-back for the Blues, starting from the right side.
Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi should play as the left wing-back and right wing-back, respectively. Reece James is another option for Tuchel in the right wing-back role for Chelsea.
Midfield
N’Golo Kante should start in the middle of the park and he will most likely be joined by Jorginho in the Chelsea lineup, due to the absence of Kovacic through injury.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup vs Manchester City
Attack
Tuchel has numerous options to choose from for the front three. The German manager has trusted the trio of Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz recently and they should all start.
Mount will be asked to drop deep and help the midfield duo of Jorginho and Kante, while Havertz will operate in his false 9 role.
Hakim Ziyech, Olivier Giroud, and Timo Werner are other options for the Chelsea manager in attack.