Manchester City vs Chelsea: Betting Odds & Prediction
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Manchester City and Chelsea both visit Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday evening.
Both teams have already faced each other twice this season, drawing 4-4 at Stamford Bridge and 1-1 at the Etihad. Kick-off is set for 5:15pm UK time.
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Manchester City
Last time out in the FA Cup, Manchester City beat Newcastle 2-0 after two first half goals from Bernardo Silva. Their path to the semi-finals has seen them face Huddersfield, Tottenham Hotspur, Luton Town, and Newcastle, with an impressive aggregate score of 14-2.
In the FA Cup this season, City have had an average expected goals (xG) tally of 2.29 which they have overperformed by scoring 3.5 goals per game. Defensively, their average expected goals against (xGA) has been 0.82, which they’ve overperformed by conceding just 0.5 goals per game.
Erling Haaland is currently the top joint scorer of the competition on five, with teammate Kevin De Bruyne topping the most assists with five. City also have the most clean sheets in the competition with three, narrowly beating Chelsea who have kept two so far.
City will be determined to bounce back after a crushing penalty shootout defeat to Real Madrid, which saw them bow out of the Champions League on Wednesday evening. John Stones is their only doubt after suffering a muscular injury last week.
Prepare for a scintillating weekend of #EmiratesFACup semi-finals with Opta stats around both ties 📊
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 16, 2024
Chelsea
Chelsea’s quarter final match was much shakier, but they eventually secured a 4-2 victory against Leicester City. In this match, all was level at 2-2 until Carney Chukweumeka scored in the 92nd second minute before Noni Madueke secured the victory six minutes later.
Their path has included wins over Preston North End, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Leicester. Their aggregate score across their matches was 14-7.
Chelsea have produced an average xG of 2.1 across their matches in which they have boasted an average of 2.8 goals. Defensively they have attained an xGA of 1.14, conceding just 1 goal on average per game.
Their joint top goal scorers in the competition is Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez, and Nicolas Jackson, who have all managed two goals each. However, both Raheem Sterling and Malo Gusto are both joint second for the most assists in this tournament. Djorde Petrovic has been pivotal obtaining the highest save percentage in the whole tournament.
In their last game, Chelsea demolished Everton 6-0 at Stamford Bridge, with Cole Palmer grabbing four goals, including a first half hat-trick. The Blues are still without many key players including Christopher Nkunku, Enzo Fernandes, Levi Colwill, Reece James, and former City man, Raheem Sterling.
Prediction
Chelsea have actually fared well against Pep Guardiola's men this season, holding them to two draws in the Premier League, and were close to securing all three points at the Etihad before a late Rodri equaliser meant they only left with a point.
Nevertheless, City boast a great record at Wembley Stadium in recent years, and will surely have too much quality for this Chelsea side in the English capital.