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Chelsea vs Manchester City: FA Cup semifinal score predictions

By The Pride of London Staff

Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (C) celebrates after he scores their third goal 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 Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (C) celebrates after he scores their third goal 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) /
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Chelsea makes its way across town to Wembley Stadium on Saturday to take on Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinals. While the Blues and Citizens are both eyeing more important upcoming matches, they each have a lot riding on this clash. The FA Cup represents Thomas Tuchel’s most likely path to a trophy during his first season, whereas Pep Guardiola needs to win to keep Man City’s dreams of a quadruple alive. This is the first—and more intriguing—of the two semifinals with Southampton and Leicester City squaring off on Sunday.

Here’s how The Pride of London staff sees the match playing out:

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Scott Brant: 1-2 Manchester City

As much as I would love for the Blues to get some silverware, I think City gets this one while we focus on another. All in on Champions League. Maybe there will be a Tammy Abraham sighting this weekend.

Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 1-1 Draw (Chelsea wins in pens.)

The Blues got to the final last season and the only thing that stands in their way now is an in-form,  defensively solid Man City. Chelsea will ultimately use its first game against City this season to determine what to not do when playing against Guardiola’s men. It’s a one-off game and the Blues have a lot of quality players in the side, they should be able to beat City.

Nate Hofmann: 1-3 Manchester City

At this point, a win for Guardiola’s team just seems like an inevitability every time it steps on the field. While the FA Cup is likely their third priority, City is so deep, talented and well-drilled that it hardly matters who actually plays. This is by some distance the greatest challenge Chelsea’s vastly improved defense has faced since Tuchel took over. It’s probably the toughest test since the last time the two sides faced off, which was an aggressively unpleasant experience. Unfortunately, I’m expecting more of the same, although it might allow Tuchel a chance to reassess before the Premier League tie in a few weeks’ time, which is arguably a more important match.

Varun Dani: 1-1 Draw (Chelsea wins AET)

Chelsea will soak up waves of pressure from City, defend well, but ultimately concede. The Blues will exploit the Citizens’ high line though, and score a goal of their own. The game goes to extra time, Chelsea find one counter attack to end the game, avoiding a stressful penalty shootout in the process.

Kevin Peacock: 1-1 Draw (Chelsea wins AET)

The Blues have the chance to dent City’s quadruple hopes and it’s one they will take. A scrappy game through 90 minutes will see honours even with a Christian Pulisic goal taking the game into extra-time. Timo Werner (I know right), scores the winner as the game looks like going to a penalty shoot-out.

Abhishek Pancholi: 2-1 Chelsea

Guardiola, fresh from reaching the Champions League semifinal, will treat the FA Cup as just another competition and rotate heavily. This will afford Tuchel a chance to finally get one over his counterpart in the lighter shade of blue.

Anthony Gatt: 1-0 Chelsea

Finally we have reached the pivotal matches of the season and this will be the toughest test that Tuchel’s side has to face since the German has arrived. It can really go either way, but I believe if the team plays to its maximum potential and puts another great effort on defensive side, the win will be for the Blues’ taking. A trip to the FA Cup final awaits.

Michael DeVito: 2-1 Chelsea

Why not? The defense stops City and a couple of great goals by Pulisic and Kai Havertz seal the deal to the final.

Barrett Rouen: 2-2 Draw (Chelsea wins in pens.)

I don’t know how to feel about this. I think City is in that place where it might overthink things and we’re in the right place to be underestimated. Tuchel’s record of near losses to Pep could finally be turned around here.

Gabe Henderson: 2-1 Chelsea

I am going on record saying I have no idea how this match will play out. If Guardiola fields anything less than his starting XI, Tuchel’s men can capitalize and ruin the Citizens’ hopes of a quadruple. However, if City sends out its first XI, this could be a wake-up call for Chelsea.

Next. Chelsea vs Manchester City combined XI: 4-3-3 with sprinkles. dark

What is your score prediction? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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