“I’m not sure there will be loads of goals in this” - Mark Lawrenson predicts winner of Manchester City vs Chelsea FA Cup semi-final clash
Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has backed Manchester City to beat Chelsea when the two teams clash in the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley on Saturday, April 20.
The Citizens have had a relatively straightforward path to the last-four. They began their title defense by thrashing Huddersfield Town 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium in the fourth round before beating Luton Town 6-2 away from home. In the quarterfinals, they defeated Newcastle United 2-0 at the Etihad.
The Blues, meanwhile, began their campaign in the third round, thrashing Preston North End 4-0 at Stamford Bridge. They then needed a replay to beat Aston Villa, triumphing 3-1 at Villa Park after the original fixture ended 0-0.
This was followed by thrilling wins over Leeds United (3-2) in the Round of 16 and Leicester City (4-2) in the quarterfinals.
The FA Cup represents Chelsea's only shot at silverware and Lawrenson believes they will look to be resolute in defence. However, the former footballer feels City will eventually come away with a 2-0 win. He wrote in his column for Paddy Power News:
"Chelsea will make it difficult for Manchester City and I’m not sure there will be loads of goals in this because Mauricio Pochettino will close it down. I’ll still go for City to win this FA Cup semi final. Manchester City 2-0 Chelsea."
Pep Guardiola's men enter this match on the back a disappointing loss on penalties to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. City converted only two of their spot-kicks to lose 4-2 in the shootout after the tie ended 4-4 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino's side kept their first clean sheet since January in their last outing, a 6-0 thrashing of Everton. Former City man Cole Palmer scored four goals on the night, with Nicolas Jackson and Alfie Gilchrist also finding the net.
Chelsea and Manchester City have played out two draws this season
Saturday's match will be the third meeting between the two sides after their two Premier League clashes earlier this term. Both those meetings ended in draws.
They first met in November 2023 at Stamford Bridge and played out one of the most entertaining matches of the season. Erling Haaland handed Manchester City a 25th-minute lead before Thiago Silva (29') and Raheem Sterling (37') turned things around for Chelsea. Manuel Akanji's header in the first minute of stoppage time made it 2-2 at the break.
Haaland scored again less than two minutes into the second half to give City the advantage, but Nicolas Jackson's 67th-minute strike brought the Blues level. Rodri then scored four minutes before the end of regulation to give the visitors a 4-3 lead.
However, Cole Palmer, in his first game against City since leaving for Chelsea last summer, scored a stoppage-time spot-kick to secure a point for his team.
Their second meeting took place in February 2024 at the Etihad Stadium. Sterling scored in this fixture as well, giving Mauricio Pochettino's team a 1-0 lead in the 42nd minute. However, Rodri stepped up for Manchester City late in the game once again to make it 1-1 with seven minutes left in regulation.