⛅️ Friday Forecast: FA Cup semis and an unwanted record beckons | OneFootball

There’s action across two competitions this weekend as, in addition to the usual Premier League fare, we have FA Cup semi-finals to look forward to.

This is what is in store …

Game of the Weekend 💪

Chelsea v Manchester City

A place at Wembley is at stake for the victor of this mouthwatering FA Cup semi-final showdown.

The feelgood factor at both clubs couldn’t be better coming into it either, with each team booking their place in the Champions League final four in midweek.

Thomas Tuchel’s revolution has bore fruit much quicker than expected and this game gives them the easiest path to silverware within his first six months in charge.

In the opposite dugout, Pep Guardiola is keen to shut down any talk of it but it is becoming harder to overlook the possibility of a stunning quadruple for his side this season.

They have looked unstoppable and invincible at times but in Chelsea, they face a side who will be extremely difficult to break down and clinical going forward.

Bring it on.

📊 Fun fact: Chelsea have never beaten City at the new Wembley Stadium, losing three times in three different competitions.

🔮 Our prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea

Potential upset 😨

Newcastle v West Ham

Quietly but effectively over recent weeks, Newcastle have picked up points that could be enough to keep them in the division.

But they’re far from safe yet and a win over the Champions League-chasing Hammers would go a long way to that goal.

David Moyes’ men have coped incredibly well with the injuries that are beginning to pile up and have picked up some impressive results.

This, on paper, seems an easy three points and that, as every West Ham fan will attest to, can only spell trouble.

Particularly if they go into that difficult position of taking a 3-0 lead …

📊 Fun fact: West Ham have just won on just two of their last 16 league trips to Tyneside, in 2012 and 2018.

🔮 Our prediction: Newcastle 1-1 West Ham

Easiest 3️⃣ points

Wolves v Sheffield United

We’re sorry, Blades fans but it seems the moment that has been dreaded all year is here.

Defeat away to Wolves on Saturday evening (provided Newcastle have taken a point earlier) will see their relegation confirmed.

And with six games still remaining, they’ll go into the league’s hall of shame if they do so for the earliest drop down to the second tier.

Although it isn’t a burden they bear alone as Derby County and Huddersfield Town have also previously went down despite still having 18 points to play for.

It is a season that they’ll want to finish ASAP, given that they’re also still in danger of unwanted records for lowest goal tally and most losses in a season.

📊 Fun fact: United have won just once on their last 13 trips to Molineux and haven’t tasted victory there since 2002.

🔮 Our prediction: Wolves 3-1 Sheffield United

Too close to call 🤔

Leicester City v Southampton

By the very nature of the magnitude of this one, the second of the FA Cup semi-finals looks to be a coin flip occasion.

We are aware that in this fixture’s recent history, there was a 9-0 landslide win – but the Saints did gain swift revenge afterwards.

In 2021, Southampton’s form can only be described as inconsistent at best and you are never sure which version of a clearly talented team will turn up on any given weekend.

Luckily for them, Leicester are in precisely the same boat, with Brendan Rodgers seemingly on track for another second half slide.

It may be due to the deficiencies of both but nonetheless, it makes for a captivating occasion in the capital.

📊 Fun fact: Southampton are yet to concede in this season’s FA Cup and could be the first team to reach the final without doing so since Everton in 1966.

🔮 Our prediction: Leicester City 0-1 Southampton

🔥 Your Fantasy Football team’s captain should be …

Edinson Cavani

An incredible performance at Spurs last weekend was followed up by another goal in the Europa League on Thursday. El Matador is hitting form at the perfect time and could fill his boots against Burnley.

Our predictions