FA Cup
Apr 20, 2024 5.15pm
1
0
HT : 0 0
FT Wembley Stadium
  • Julian Alvarez 58' yellowcard
  • Bernardo Silva 84' goal
  • Djordje Petrovic 86' yellowcard
  • yellowcard Moises Caicedo 45'
  • yellowcard Phil Foden 82'
  • yellowcard Kevin De Bruyne 86'
  • yellowcard Enzo Fernandez 86'

How Manchester City could line up against Chelsea

How Man City could line up against Chelsea

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will hope to have a fully-fit squad at his disposal for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.

The Citizens were knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals by Real Madrid on penalties on Wednesday night, and Guardiola confirmed after the match that Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Manuel Akanji all asked to be withdrawn prior to the shootout as they "could not continue".

At a press conference on Friday, Guardiola delivered a positive update on De Bruyne, but he was unable to confirm whether the playmaker or Haaland, who is nursing a niggling muscle issue, would be available for selection on Saturday; Akanji, meanwhile, will also be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Man City were boosted by the return of Kyle Walker to the starting lineup in midweek following his recovery from a hamstring injury. The right-back played the entire 120 minutes against Real Madrid, so it remains to be seen whether he can see out another full match on Saturday.

John Stones and Nathan Ake, who have both recently recovered from injuries, were named in the matchday squad in midweek - the former came on for the final eight minutes of extra time - and the defensive duo are in contention to play in some capacity against Chelsea, as are Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

Guardiola will weigh up whether to stick with first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, who scored a penalty in the shootout against Real Madrid, or to recall Stefan Ortega who has started all four of City's FA Cup ties so far this season.

Rodri is expected to continue in his deep-lying midfield role, and Bernardo Silva and ex-Chelsea man Mateo Kovacic are also in contention to start in midfield, while Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku are set to battle for a place on the flanks, although Foden could operate in the number 10 role if De Bruyne is not handed a start.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ortega; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri; Foden, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland

> Click here to see how Chelsea could line up for this contest

POLL
Who will win Saturday's FA Cup clash between Man City and Chelsea?
Manchester City 55%
Draw 12%
Chelsea 33%
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