FA Cup Semi-Final Predictions & Best Odds[18-19 July 2020]

The magic of the FA Cup returns again this weekend after a lengthy time in the shadows due to the current pandemic.

Like the Premier League, it’s been put on hold until safe and possible to resume. The quarter finals were the last games to be played post-pandemic and we now know the final four teams that will battle it out for the oldest cup competition in football. Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta will face familiar opposition in his old master Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Manchester United will clash with Chelsea in a match which will flex which team is ready to push on for continental qualification in the league in the next few weeks.

PREDICTION: Manchester City wins

Arsenal comes into this game off the back of a win midweek against the champions of England. Despite being gifted two goals by Liverpool, they will surely feel the confidence of that win coming into this fixture. Manchester City also saw success in midweek with a comfortable 2-0 over relegation fodder Bournemouth. Both teams, in particular, Manchester City rested heavily midweek and will be looking to play their strongest sides this weekend. Arsenal will have to do without Calum Chambers, Eddie Nketiah (suspended), Bernd Leno, Gabriel Martinelli, Mesut Ozil, and Matteo Guendouzi whilst Manchester City will miss Sergio Aguero, Claudio Bravo, and Joao Cancelo. Arsenal has been hit hard with injuries although their current squad should be able to put up a good fight against Manchester City. Arsenal plays notoriously well in the FA Cup and they currently hold the records¹ for most FA Cup wins. Arsenal’s last win against Manchester City came in the FA Cup but I can see Manchester City being too strong for Arsenal here. Man City has rested their squad over the past few weeks for this eventuality and they have nothing else to play for. Pep Guardiola will have his men fully focused and unless they make any defensive errors, I see them winning quite comfortably despite some Arsenal resistance.

Manchester United vs. Chelsea

PREDICTION: Manchester United wins

Manchester United and Chelsea are familiar foes in all competitions and once again come head to head to play for the last cup competition of the domestic season. Recent head to heads would suggest that Manchester United have the upper hand. Chelsea’s last win against United came in the FA Cup back in 2018. Since then, Manchester United have four wins over Chelsea with two other draws. Manchester United come into this game unbeaten since the return of football whilst Chelsea are in relatively good form winning their last game against Norwich. Both teams pretty much have a full squad at their disposal although there are question marks over whether midfield machine N’Golo Kante will be fit for the fixture. This game will be pretty tight as both teams will be fighting their hardest to win some silverware this season. Both Ole and Frank Lampard have something to prove and there’s no doubt that they will send their teams out all guns blazing. I believe this result will go into extra time with each team canceling each other out. In the end, I think Ole’s men will conquer Chelsea and go through to the final to set up a Manchester derby final.