Manchester City will face Sheffield United under the famous Wembley arch on Saturday, as the two sides battle it out for a place in the FA Cup Final. The Blades look set to join Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League next season, but will they be able to pull off a ‘cupset’ first?
Sheffield United and Manchester City both entered the competition in Round Three – with the Blades first travelling to The Den, where they cruised past Millwall. Up next was a trip to the Racecourse Ground in a game that saw National League side Wrexham earn a 3-3 draw, and a replay at Bramall Lane. The hosts picked up a 3-1 victory there, and defeated Tottenham at the same venue in the fifth round to secure their spot in the quarterfinals. There they met Blackburn Rovers, and looked destined for yet another replay until Tommy Doyle’s 91st minute strike wrapped up a 3-2 win for the Blades.
Manchester City’s route to the semifinal started with a 4-0 demolition of Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in early January, before edging a 1-0 win over Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. They then travelled to Ashton Gate, where they picked up a 3-0 away win against Bristol City. Pep Guardiola welcomed another of his former apprentices to the Etihad in their quarterfinal fixture, as they thumped Vincent Kompany’s Burnley 6-0 to secure a spot in the final four.
Team News
We wouldn’t be surprised to see a heavily-rotated Manchester City side appear at Wembley. Guardiola’s side will host Arsenal on Wednesday in a game that could decide the destination of the Premier League trophy, so the Spaniard will want to ensure his preferred starting eleven is fully fit for that contest. Phil Foden could return to action following appendix surgery – the Englishman was named on the bench for their midweek Champions League clash but failed to make an appearance. Nathan Aké was forced off through injury in that match, and we’re expecting Aymeric Laporte to deputise in defence.
Tommy Doyle – who scored the winner in the Blades’ last FA Cup match – will have to sit this game out, as he is on loan from Manchester City. The same applies to James McAtee, though they’ll be bolstered by the return of Wes Foderingham between the sticks.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester City: Ortega; Laporte, Dias, Akanji; Phillips, Lewis; Foden, B. Silva, Gomez, Palmer; Mahrez
Sheffield United: Foderingham; Robinson, Ahmedhodzic, Egan; Lowe, Fleck, Berge, Norwood, Baldock; Sharp, Ndiaye
Where can I watch?
Kickoff for this FA Cup semifinal is at 4:45pm UK time on Saturday, 22 April 2023. It will be shown live on ITV1 in the UK, with coverage starting at 4pm.
