The Pride of London
Fansided

Chelsea vs Manchester City: FA Cup match preview and where to watch

By Gabe Henderson

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodrigo (L) vies with Chelsea's US midfielder Christian Pulisic (R) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London on January 3, 2021. (Photo by Andy Rain / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ANDY RAIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodrigo (L) vies with Chelsea's US midfielder Christian Pulisic (R) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London on January 3, 2021. (Photo by Andy Rain / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ANDY RAIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Chelsea and Manchester City are set to square off in the first FA Cup semifinal of the weekend on Saturday afternoon. The Blues and Citizens both make their way to Wembley Stadium on the back of booking their places in the Champions League semifinals. Their attentions now turn to the domestic silverware hunt as this is the stage where things get serious in the FA Cup.

Pep Guardiola’s side has seemingly been the best in the country all season. Man City is running away with the Premier League title for the third time in the last four seasons, its safely into the League Cup final, into the final four in the Champions League and looking to book its place into yet another final on Saturday. The quadruple has never been achieved by a Premier League side, but the Citizens have a serious chance at it this season. Standing in their way though is perhaps the second hottest club in England.

The Blues sacked Frank Lampard when they found themselves sitting ninth in the Premier League in late January. In comes Thomas Tuchel—fresh off his sacking from Paris Saint-Germain—and Chelsea is now amongst the world’s elite again. The Blues have lost just two games under the German manager, with one coming in the 93′ by way of a world class bicycle goal from Porto, which saw the English club progress in the competition regardless. Chelsea has improved its league standing and is now knocking on the door of the top four, two games away from a potential UCL final and 90 minutes from making a second consecutive FA Cup final.

Both sides will be near full strength. Chelsea is hit with the worse injury blow as Mateo Kovacic will miss out through a knock he suffered in training earlier in the week. For Man City, it’s much of the same as Sergio Aguero is a serious doubt. In years past, this would’ve been a serious talking point, but through Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus, Guardiola has made due without the Argentine striker for a majority of the campaign.

Man City has had the Blues’ number as of late, aside from post-restart when Christian Pulisic’s heroics saw Frank Lampard’s team pick up a crucial victory. Luckily for Chelsea, Pulisic is beginning to find his form again after scoring in back-to-back Premier League games and putting in a Man of the Match display against Porto.

Where can you view the live stream of Man City vs. Chelsea in the FA Cup semifinals?

Date: Saturday, April 17
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. GMT)
Location: London, England
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Referee: Mike Dean
TV Info: BBC One (UK)
Live Stream: ESPN+ (USA)

There is no telling what this match has in store for spectators—especially with the genius tactical minds of Guardiola and Tuchel on the touchlines—but the Blues head into this one as slight underdogs. Could Chelsea bring its ‘A’ game and ruin Man City’s hopes at becoming the first English side to win the quadruple? Time will tell. The winner will go on to face the victor in the Southampton versus Leicester City bout that takes place on Sunday.

Next. Chelsea three things to look for in FA Cup semifinal: Ending history. dark

Unable to catch the match? Follow along with The Pride of London as we provide live updates on Twitter!

Home/FA Cup