As the 2019/20 football season nears its conclusion, there is still silverware to be won in the FA Cup. With four big Premier League teams remaining, there will be plenty of top-quality action on display this weekend. Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea will be battling each other to add another piece of silverware to their respective trophy cabinets. Each of these teams has won the competition within the last four years and they will be desperate to get their hands on the trophy by August 1.
For all the latest betting information for the FA Cup semi-finals, check the odds out on the Paddy Power app.
Arsenal v Manchester City
Arsenal have a poor recent record against City and have not beaten them in their last six fixtures, conceding 17 goals. City have won three of these games 3-0 and only conceded one goal against Arsenal in this run. Arsenal’s last win against City came after extra time in the 2016/17 FA Cup semi-final when they eventually won 2-1, the Gunners went on the win that year’s tournament.
City’s Phil Foden has the joint highest assists of any player left in the competition (3). Midfield partner David Silva has created the most chances in the FA Cup this season (15).
Arsenal will be without Eddie Nketiah, who remains suspended. Calum Chambers (knee), Bernd Leno (knee), Gabriel Martinelli (knee), Pablo Marri (ankle) and Matteo Guendouzi knock) are unavailable for Arsenal. Sergio Aguero remains out for City with a knee injury.
Arsenal’s long-term form against City is poor. They are missing key players through injury and suspension which makes their semi-final tie even harder. City’s FA Cup record is outstanding and they will be sure favourites to progress to the final on Saturday. Guardiola’s side could win by a few goals judging by their head to head record against the Gunners.
Manchester United v Chelsea
Manchester United beat Chelsea twice in the league this season, winning 4-0 at home and 2-0 away at Stamford Bridge. The Red Devils also knocked the Blues out of the EFL Cup during their last 16 tie. Chelsea have struggled against United lately, losing four and drawing two of their last six meetings. The Blues last win over United came in the 2017/18 FA Cup final when they won 1-0.
Manchester United’s Odion Ighalo is the joint highest scorer, along with Chelsea’s Ross Barkley, left in the competition. Ighalo scored three goals in just two games played while Barkley scored three of Chelsea’s seven goals in the competition. Forward Anthony Martial remains the joint highest assister in the FA Cup (3).
Chelsea will be without Bill Gilmour (knee) but N’Golo Kante and Fikayo Tomori may be back in contention for the Blues. Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe could miss the semi-final tie with respective injuries. Luke Shaw and Brandon Williams returned from injury in mid-week for United.
Chelsea’s season has been inconsistent and they have struggled to beat United recently. The return of N’Golo Kante and Fiakyo Tomori could help Frank Lampard’s side on Sunday. The Red Devils have been superb under Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the final third of the season and will be sure favourites to go through. Their ability to keep clean sheets, the most in the FA Cup this season. It could be a tight match, but United are likely to win by the odd goal.
