⛅️ Friday Forecast: FA Cup semis, Arsenal to rebound, race for top four | OneFootball

The Premier League season continues hurtling towards its conclusion this weekend, and we also have the FA Cup semi-finals coming our way.

Now it’s time for some predictions.

💪 Game of the weekend

Manchester City v Sheffield United

After securing their spot in the Champions League semi-finals in midweek, Manchester City continue their treble quest when they head to Wembley on Saturday for a fifth consecutive FA Cup semi-final.

Standing in their way of a place in the final is a Sheffield United side who have had an excellent season in the Championship and are closing in on automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

City boss Pep Guardiola will likely make changes to his team for this one after Wednesday’s energy-sapping game in Munich, while the Blades will be without two of their key players in Tommy Doyle and James McAtee – both of whom are on loan from City and therefore forbidden from playing against their parent club.

Blades manager Paul Heckingbottom admitted this week that he’d prefer promotion to a place in the FA Cup final and though the second tier outfit have to be considered huge underdogs this weekend, a little sprinkling of cup magic will hopefully make this a very interesting game.

📊 Fun fact: Sheffield United have won all four of their FA Cup ties against Manchester City, most recently a 2-1 victory in 2007/08.

🔮 Our prediction: Manchester City 4-2 Sheffield United

😨 Potential upset

Brighton v Manchester United

The other semi-final takes place on Sunday and is guaranteed to be a fascinating one to watch.

After Thursday’s disastrous Europa League trip to Sevilla, Manchester United face a Brighton side who are currently one of the most exciting teams in the country.

Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls were superb in their victory away at Chelsea last weekend and deserved to win by a greater margin of victory than 2-1.

They will be hoping to maintain that energy at Wembley but they shouldn’t expect to dominate a United side who already have one piece of silverware under their belt this season and are gunning for more.

The last time these two sides met was on the opening day of the season, when Graham Potter’s Brighton pulled off a surprise 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.

But Erik ten Hag’s men have come on leaps and bounds since that day, and they will be out for revenge this weekend, with a potential Manchester derby FA Cup final on the cards.

📊 Fun fact: This will be Manchester United’s 31st appearance in the FA Cup semi-finals, more than any other team in the competition’s history.

🔮 Our prediction: Brighton 2-1 Manchester United

👍 Big favourites

Arsenal v Southampton

It has been a frustrating couple of weeks for Arsenal. Dropping points from being 2-0 up at Liverpool on Easter Sunday was one thing but doing the same thing at West Ham last week has prompted serious doubts about their title credentials.

The Gunners have an excellent chance to get back to winning ways when they welcome struggling Southampton to the Emirates on Friday evening, however.

Saints are not dead and buried just yet, but a run of six games without a win leaves Rubén Sellés’s side rooted to the foot of the table and they currently look the least likely team to emerge safely from the relegation battle.

With their trip to Manchester City on the horizon, this has to be looked at as a must-win for Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta has said he wants the Emirates to be rocking on Friday night.

He will no doubt get his wish, and it should result in three points.

📊 Fun fact: Arsenal have never lost in 23 Premier League home games against Southampton, the most one side has hosted another without ever losing in the competition.

🔮 Our prediction: Arsenal 5-0 Southampton

🤔 Too close to call

Newcastle v Tottenham

It has been an unforgettable season for Newcastle and a top four finish is still well within their sights.

But last weekend’s comprehensive 3-0 defeat away at Aston Villa was a timely reality check. The job is not done yet, and they can’t afford too many more slip-ups.

On Sunday the Magpies welcome a Tottenham side to St James’ Park who suffered a chastening defeat at home to Bournemouth last weekend in which they conceded a 95th-minute goal.

Champions League qualification looked unlikely when Spurs parted company with Antonio Conte and put Cristian Stellini in interim charge until the end of the season, yet they are still hanging on in there, just three points behind Newcastle in fifth.

Eddie Howe’s side do have a game in hand, however, meaning this weekend’s clash is a real six-pointer.

Win and the Toon Army can relax a little, but lose and it’s game on.

📊 Fun fact: Tottenham have not won a league game outside London since a 3-2 win at Bournemouth back in October.

🔮 Our prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Tottenham

🔥 Your Fantasy Football captain should be …

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

We tipped Watkins to continue his scoring streak last weekend and he duly obliged, with a brace in Villa’s win over Newcastle, taking his tally to 15 goals this season.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. We’re backing him to find the net again when Villa travel to face his former club Brentford on Saturday.

Unai Emery has overseen a remarkable turnaround in fortune for the the Villans this season and with seven games remaining, they are well in with a shout for European football.

While Brentford are winless in their last five matches and will be worried about extending that run against one of the league’s most in-form sides and players.

📊 Fun fact: Watkins has scored 11 goals in his last 12 Premier League games for Aston Villa.

🔮 Our prediction: Brentford 2-2 Aston Villa

Other predictions