"It is important that they bounce back quickly" - Chris Sutton makes prediction for FA Cup S/F clash between Manchester City and Chelsea
BBC Sport columnist Chris Sutton has backed Manchester City to defeat Chelsea 3-0 in their upcoming FA Cup semi-final clash at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, April 20.
Manchester City will be hoping to quickly bounce back from their disappointing UEFA Champions League exit on Wednesday. They lost 4-3 on penalties to Real Madrid after the scores were tied at 1-1 in normal time in the second leg of the quarter-finals.
On the other hand, the Blues will be full of confidence after dispatching Everton 6-0 in the Premier League earlier this week. Manchester City do have the statistical advantage though, as they are unbeaten in their last eight games against Chelsea in all competitions, winning six, and drawing two.
Sutton provided a detailed take, writing (via BBC Sport):
"Manchester City did not deserve to go out of the Champions League on Wednesday. On the balance of play against Real Madrid, they can count themselves a bit unlucky to lose the tie. It is important that they bounce back quickly, though, starting here."
"City's main focus now will be their attempt to become the first side in the 136-year history of English league football to be crowned champions four times in a row. That would be a huge achievement, and going out of Europe will aid that. Pep is greedy for trophies, though, and of course he will want to lift the FA Cup again too."
Sharing his thoughts on the scuffle around a penalty in the Blues' win over Everton, Sutton wrote:
"Chelsea have drawn with City twice this season and they will be dangerous with Palmer in their team. But the kerfuffle over who would take their penalty against Everton on Monday, when Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson argued before Palmer took the ball and scored his fourth goal, sums up the whole situation at the club."
"I would not mind seeing that happen if Palmer had missed a few penalties on the trot, because then it is someone else's turn. But it appears that they have an odd dressing room at the moment, with a lot of inflated egos in there, and if Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino cannot create harmony, you wonder who will."
Sharing his prediction for the semi-final, he wrote:
"On the pitch, Chelsea have shown a bit more consistency in the second half of the season with an eight-game unbeaten run in the league that has put them in the race for sixth place. Pochettino will want a trophy to underline their improvement, but I think it will be City who progress. I am backing the holders to flex their muscles again, go again... and win this tie quite comfortably."
Sutton's Prediction: 3-0
What happened the last time Manchester City faced Chelsea?
Manchester City and Chelsea will both be gunning for a spot in the FA Cup final where the winner will play one of Manchester United and Coventry. Let's take a look at what happened the last time these two sides faced each other (February 17).
Mauricio Pochettino's men took the lead in the 42nd minute via Raheem Sterling to silence the Etihad Stadium. However, City controlled the game with 71 percent of the ball, landing 31 shots in total with five being on target. The hosts' pressure paid off as Rodri's 83rd-minute strike earned them a point.
Chelsea also drew Manchester City 4-4 in the reverse fixture earlier this season at Stamford Bridge. They are currently ninth in the Premier League standings with 47 points from 31 games, 26 points behind current leaders Man City.