Idman.biz
This weekend, the semi-finalists will be determined in England's second most important football tournament.
İdman.Biz reports that the matches in this stage will be Manchester City vs. Liverpool, Chelsea vs. Port Vale, Southampton vs. Arsenal, and West Ham vs. Leeds.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool (April 4)
The first match of the 1/4 finals has immediately gained the status of a major classic. The teams will face each other at the Etihad Stadium, and this will be their third duel of the season. Currently, the advantage is on City's side: Pep Guardiola's team has won both league matches – 3:0 at home and 2:1 away. Against this background, the cup match looks even more principled, and the home side could have the chance to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the seventh consecutive time.
Guardiola said before the match that Liverpool has been the main rival for his team in the last ten years. There is positive news for the guests: Mohamed Salah is ready to play, but Alisson Becker will not be in the squad due to injury.
Chelsea vs. Port Vale (April 4)
The match at Stamford Bridge seems to be the most unequal in terms of status, but it is this game that presents the most romantic story of the stage. Chelsea will host Port Vale, and this is already a historic event for the Burslem representatives. Port Vale is the only team representing League One (the third division of England) and has reached the 1/4 finals for the first time since 1954. In general, the club's greatest achievement is reaching the semi-finals in the 1953/54 season. At that time, Vale defeated Leyton Orient 1-0 in London, winning their only 1/4 final.
Port Vale's journey in the tournament this season is also noteworthy. John Brady's team first defeated Maldon & Tiptree 5-1, and then won four consecutive matches with a score of 1-0. Victories were achieved over Bristol Rovers, Fleetwood Town, Bristol City, and Sunderland at this stage. Interestingly, after the first round, the team did not concede another goal until the 1/4 finals. At the same time, the club is in last place in League One and is facing the threat of relegation. For this reason, the FA Cup has become a real fairy tale for them in an unsuccessful season.
Chelsea, on the other hand, has its own motivation. The London club reached the 1/4 finals with a 4-2 victory over Wrexham in extra time. Head coach Liam Rosenior said that the team intends to finish the season with a cup.
Southampton vs. Arsenal (April 4)
Another 1/4 final match will be held at St. Mary's Stadium. For Southampton, this is one of the last steps on the road to Wembley, and for Mikel Arteta's team, it is an opportunity to continue the fight on several fronts.
The hosts reached this stage with a 1-0 victory over Fulham, while Arsenal defeated Mansfield 2-1 in the fifth round. Although some players have returned to training at Southampton after the international break, losses remain in the squad. Arsenal will enter the game with a number of injuries, which may affect the starting lineup.
West Ham vs. Leeds (April 5)
The final game of the 1/4 final stage will be held in London. West Ham will host Leeds. The teams have already met in the Premier League this season, and Leeds won that game 2-1 at home. Now the Londoners have a chance to take revenge.
West Ham has reached this stage through difficult games and intends to continue the fight. Leeds, on the other hand, is having one of their most successful cup seasons in many years and will try to make the most of their chance to reach the semi-finals. The team confidently passed the previous stage and is preparing for the game with high motivation.
