Chelsea score predictions: Blues beat curse in FA Cup semifinal

Chelsea has fallen to Manchester United three times this season, but if there was ever a time to beat the Red Devils, it’s in the FA Cup Semifinals.

Heading into this match, there is an obvious elephant in the room: Chelsea has lost all three matches against Manchester United this season. Many expect the Blues to roll over and allow United—a top four contending foe—to walk all over them, but that won’t happen. Frank Lampard is going to have his team ready for the match.

All eyes are on the date with Arsenal in the FA Cup Final, will it be a London Derby in a rematch of the 2017 trophy match? Regardless, Chelsea has an eye on the Leicester City-Tottenham match tomorrow, as well. The Blues’ London rivals can give them a boost by beating the Foxes in the Premier League before Chelsea takes the pitch mid-week at the champions. First things first, let’s hope United doesn’t beat Lampard’s side for a fourth consecutive time. Here are our staff’s predictions for the FA Cup semis clash:

Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 2-0 Chelsea

Chelsea will not be the only team coming into this match with a grudge. The 2018 FA Cup final featured these two teams and Manchester United stood by and watched the celebrations from afar.

The Blues have lost to Manchester United three times already this season and they will look to break that curse on Sunday. Frank Lampard called upon his old guard against Norwich City, and they came through. Of the trophies still up for grabs this season, the FA Cup is the more realistic one in Lampard’s sights. The players will want to do everything to not only secure Lampard his first trophy in his managerial career, but also to prove to the gaffer that they’re worth keeping when the axe finally starts to swing. Expect the Chelsea players to give everything they have, and then some.

Kade Kistner: 2-3 Manchester United

It’s simple: the Red Devils have had the Blues’ number all season. Unfortunately, that won’t change on Sunday.

Matt Hancock-Bruce: 1-2 Manchester United

United is yet to lose since the return and I can’t see that changing anytime soon. Whilst Chelsea’s in-form wingers may do enough to muster a goal, United’s attack should ultimately prove too much for a lacklustre Blues defence.

Barrett Rouen: 2-1 Chelsea

I don’t predict losses, but this explanation will serve as a representation of my worries. Our defence hasn’t been able to keep it together against sides with little talent and less confidence.  Manchester United’s entire front line is in scintillating, clinical and confident form. I don’t see a way they don’t score and likely score a lot. By the way, did I mention we don’t have N’Golo ‘the only one who tackles’ Kante? Things don’t look good at all. That said, God is a Chelsea supporter, so we have that going for us.

Scott Brant: 1-1 Draw (United wins on pen.)

When the whistle blows to mark the end of 90 minutes, these two will be deadlocked for at least an entire half. I have a bad feeling United take it in penalties, and as long as we start a youth-filled line-up, I will be at peace with that.

But the Blues have to either rest and make sure they get top four by winning the remaining Premier League matches, or get this trophy and roll the dice on the last two matches. It would be unrealistic to expect both with Chelsea’s recent goal scoring form. Everything points to a United win, and that means it would be totally on-brand of the Blues to show up and take it.

Abhishek Pancholi: 2-1 Chelsea

This could be the one where Lampard finally gets one over Solskjaer. Of course, all signs point to the opposite happening, but I have a good feeling about this.

Oliver Smith: 1-3 Manchester United

Chelsea has performed well against most of the big six, yet United has proved to be the Blues’ kryptonite, mostly coming in the form of Dr. Marcus Rashford. The young Englishman has elevated himself above elected politicians and celebrities alike throughout this pandemic and his form on the pitch has been almost as sparkling. Especially without Kante, Chelsea is outgunned and outmatched. Next year with Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, however, all bets are off.

Varun Dani: 2-0 Chelsea

Ole cannot beat Lampard four times in a single season, especially when the Red Devils use the same old tactic—counter-attack—against the Blues on every occasion. Lampard is certainly new and naive, but no good manager can fall for the same trick four times in a year.

Kevin Peacock: 3-1 Chelsea

Wembley has been blue many times over the last few seasons; so much so, it’s been called Chelsea’s second home. No one knows this more than Super Frankie Lampard. United will no doubt coming into game as firm favourites, given their recent run of good form and luck at the hands of the VAR. But this is a game that will give the winner a decent shot at a trophy in this fractured season.

Chelsea is a trophy magnet and must repel OGS’s over-confident Red Devils. Difficult to imagine Kepa Arrizabalaga getting a clean sheet, but Chelsea surprises most—not the faithful—completing a 3-1 victory against all odds. Typical Chelsea.

Hugo Amaya: 2-1 Chelsea

At this point, Lampard already knows what it takes to win the big games and will make the necessary changes to do so. Chelsea will struggle with possession and play on the counter-attack in order to catch United off guard. Goals from Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic before the half will see the Blues through. However, a lot of pragmatic and heart pounding defending will take place in order to keep the lead. There will be a lot of criticism on how Lampard gets the win, but in big games, a win is all that matters.

Michael DeVito: 0-2 Manchester United

Hope I’m wrong. But, United seems a year or so ahead of Chelsea in development. The Red Devils’ front-line is a massive, young juggernaut already. Chelsea’s next season will be. United’s defense is better and the midfield is strong.

This is a ‘wait-’til-next year’ prediction for Chelsea. The key objective is the UCL qualification, anyway. But next season, here come the Blues in all competitions, provided they sign Kai Havertz and make the necessary defensive midfield, central defense and keeper additions.

Gabe Henderson: 2-0 Chelsea

It’s a gut feeling. The Blues always show up in big matches when their backs are against the wall. The time is now, Up the Chels!

Nate Hofmann: 1-3 Manchester United

In the words of Andy Townsend, “not for me, Clive.”  There’s just nothing to give Chelsea a meaningful advantage here. United’s attacking band of Rashford, Martial and Greenwood have run riot on plenty of backlines sturdier than Chelsea’s, and the Blues’ current attacking form doesn’t suggest they can keep up in a shootout.

Add in the absence of Kante and the obvious fatigue afflicting Pulisic, and things start looking pretty grim pretty fast. Hopefully Lampard’s side can come away with enough self-respect intact to get results against Liverpool and Wolves.

Tan Yi Hao: 1-4 Manchester United

And its four.

Jake Leach: 2-1 Chelsea

It’s time for Frank to overcome the Ole hurdle!

What are your score predictions? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!