FA Cup Semi-Final:
Man City v Sheffield United

Wembley Stadium hosts the first of two FA Cup semi-finals this weekend. The second Brighton and Hove Albion v Manchester United on Sunday.

Manchester City

Manchester City come into the game on strong form. They defeated German champions Bayern Munich by an aggregate score of 4-1 in impressive manor in the Champions League.

Pep Guardiola’s team are not only progressing in the Champions League but are also closing the gap on league leaders, Arsenal.

Man City will want to emulate their neighbour’s success of 1999 by winning what is considered the ‘true’ treble – (FA Cup, Premier League & Champions League).

With no loss in their last 15, City are definitely in the perfect form for achieving such a feat.

However, it’s not all plain sailing for Guardiola’s team. Rivals of the Manchester club may point out the fact that their record at Wembley Stadium isn’t that impressive.

They have been on the receiving end of 4 defeats in their last 5 visits to the national stadium.

History is not on City’s side either. The blues are winless in their 6 FA Cup matches against the Blades. Albeit, a record that stretches back to 1906. Their only FA Cup meeting in recent memory is a 2-1 Sheffield win in 2008.

Manchester City may be a tad distracted when it comes to Saturday’s match. The small matter of the possible title-deciding clash against Arsenal on Wednesday looming over them, it will be interesting to see what Guardiola does with him team selection.

Sheffield United

After a twitchy 1-0 win over Bristol City, Sheffield United find themselves on the verge of automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

It was actually a Man City player who helped the Blades to victory on Tuesday night. Loanee, Jason McAtee with a 77th minute winner.

To use a cliché, Sheffield United are hitting form at just the right time. 6 wins in 7 for Paul Heckingbottom’s men with only a singular defeat to Championship title winners Burnley.

Sheffield have already beaten Premier League opposition in the FA Cup this season. Defeating Spurs 1-0 at Bramall Lane thanks to Iliman Ndiaye wrong-footing Fraser Forster.

Blade’s fans will be hoping they can be the first lower-division team to beat top-flight opposition since Sunderland beat Norwich in 1992 to progress past the semi-final.

They will want to ignore their wretched past in FA Cup semi-finals, though. 5 defeats in their last 5 FA Cup semi-finals shows the task that faces them on Saturday afternoon.

FA Cup bets & tips below!

FA Cup Tips & Bets

I don’t need to explain why I think Haaland will score do I? No? Okay good.
The stumbling block in the bet comes in the form of BTTS. Stefan Ortega is expected to start in front of a slightly weaker defensive outfit with Guardiola citing “exhaustion”. I just think with atmosphere being in Sheffield’s favour, they could pinch a goal. I still expect City to blow them away, mind.
1pt bet.

Enhanced Odds from William Hill, boosted from 2/1 now 5/2.

Man City To Win Both Halves & Man City Most Corners In Each Half – 13/8

Really like the look of this bet. Man City are massive favourites at 1/7 and would prefer to have the game sewn up for half time – in the next round, resting players for Wednesday’s huge match. The occasion could get to the Sheffield Utd players and they may be under fire from a firing Man City, hopefully this pressure results in corners.
1pt bet.

#YourOdds – Match Trebles – Arsenal v Southampton

Grealish and Gundogan over 0.5 shots on target, Haaland over 1.5 shots on target – 2/1 @ Unibet

Providing all players start – as expected – this I feel has a chance. Gundogan is always the more advanced out of the midfield 3 of Rodri, Gundo and now John Stones. Grealish should get the nod ahead of still-recovering Phil Foden. Alternatively, you could swap out Jack Grealish for Riyad Mahrez and the price is still 2/1.
Haaland, again needs no explanation – my only worry is, if the game is sealed by the 60th minute and he hasn’t had 2 shots on target, he could be substituted.
1pt bet.

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