It's FA Cup semi-final weekend at Wembley with two all-Premier League ties, including Manchester City against Liverpool. The Premier League's top two sides meet for the second time in six days on Saturday (15:30 BST) after playing out an absorbing 2-2 draw at Etihad Stadium in the league last Sunday. The other semi-final is an all-London affair between Chelsea and Crystal Palace on Sunday (16:30).
Eight-time winners Chelsea are attempting to reach the showpiece final for the third straight season after finishing runners-up to Arsenal in 2020 and Leicester City in 2021.
Palace are looking to reach the final for the first time since 2016, while Liverpool have been to three Champions League finals since they last won the FA Cup 16 years ago in 2006. Pep Guardiola's City won the FA Cup as recently as 2019.
The FA Cup - the world's longest-running knockout football competition - is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Both semi-finals will be decided on the day and teams will be able to name nine substitutes and use five as they seek a place in the final at Wembley on 14 May.
But don’t forget the Premier League is rolling on too this weekend – time to focus on the League or make a last minute bid to benefit from the FA games?? Decisions, decisions….!
Saturday 16th April
Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur 12:30 Brighton & Hove Albion
Four Premier League games and an FA Cup Semi-Final this Saturday the first of which kicks off at 12:30pm and features Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion. Spurs are 4th and have won four in a row. Son, Kane and Kulusevski all on good form. Doherty out for the season. Brighton have stopped the rot, collect 4 points from a possible 6. Alzate, Moder and Duffy are all out.
Manchester United 15:00 Norwich City
The first of the 3pm games takes place at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Norwich City. Man Utd are on a relatively poor run of form, even losing to Everton last time out. No Fred or McTominay, Shaw or Varane for the Red Devils. The Canaries are still bottom but have a draw and a win in their last two. Gilmour possibly back, Sargent and Kabak out.
Southampton 15:00 Arsenal
Next of the 3 o'clock games is Southampton versus Arsenal at St Mary's. The Saints are on a terrible run, collecting onky 1 point from a possible 15. No injury worries for Southampton though. Arsenal are in 5th place but are missing Tomiyasu, Tierney, Partey and possibly Lacazette for this one.
Watford 15:00 Brentford
The last of the 3pm matches is a game between Watford and Brentford. The Hornets are 19th and on a poor run of form. Brentford on the other hand have won four of their last five matches. Toney and Mbuemo in good form. Watford will be missing Cucho. No Onyeka for Brentford.
FA Cup Semi-Final
Manchester City 15:30 Liverpool
You have 30 minutes to see team news for the 3:30pm FA Cup match between Manchester City and Liverpool. Both the teams played in the Champions League in midweek, Man City got a nil-nil draw whereas Liverpool's draw was a 3-3 thriller. City have doubts over Walker and KDB meanwhile Jota is a slight doubt for Liverpool
Sunday 17th April
Premier League
Newcastle United 14:15 Leicester City
Two Premier League games at 2:15pm, the first featuring Newcastle United v Leicester City. The Magpies are 15th but their form has been patchy of late. Fraser and Willock are injury doubts. Leicester played and won in Europe during the week. Still no Vardy and Soumaré is also missing for the Foxes.
West Ham United 14:15 Burnley
The other 2:15pm game is between West Ham United and Burnley. The Hammers recorded a famous victory in Europe on Thursday. Hearing Zouma could be out for the season. Burnley sacked Sean Dyche on Friday - will this inspire a new manager bounce? Still no Mee or Pieters for the Clarets.
FA Cup Semi-Final
Chelsea 16:30 Crystal Palace
The last game this weekend is an FA Cup Semi-Final between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at 4:30pm. Chelsea played out an exciting Champions League game on Tuesday but were still knocked out. Lukaku to be assessed prior to this game. The Eagles are safely in mid-table so should field a strong side today though have doubts over Hughes, Mitchell and Olise. Gallagher can not play against his parent club.
More games coming up in midweek – and don’t forget to checkout our MicroNational Space Program if you’re wondering what you’ll do with your weekends when the League ends…. https://www.facebook.com/groups/668066807620494
Eight-time winners Chelsea are attempting to reach the showpiece final for the third straight season after finishing runners-up to Arsenal in 2020 and Leicester City in 2021.
Palace are looking to reach the final for the first time since 2016, while Liverpool have been to three Champions League finals since they last won the FA Cup 16 years ago in 2006. Pep Guardiola's City won the FA Cup as recently as 2019.
The FA Cup - the world's longest-running knockout football competition - is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Both semi-finals will be decided on the day and teams will be able to name nine substitutes and use five as they seek a place in the final at Wembley on 14 May.
But don’t forget the Premier League is rolling on too this weekend – time to focus on the League or make a last minute bid to benefit from the FA games?? Decisions, decisions….!
Saturday 16th April
Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur 12:30 Brighton & Hove Albion
Four Premier League games and an FA Cup Semi-Final this Saturday the first of which kicks off at 12:30pm and features Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion. Spurs are 4th and have won four in a row. Son, Kane and Kulusevski all on good form. Doherty out for the season. Brighton have stopped the rot, collect 4 points from a possible 6. Alzate, Moder and Duffy are all out.
Manchester United 15:00 Norwich City
The first of the 3pm games takes place at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Norwich City. Man Utd are on a relatively poor run of form, even losing to Everton last time out. No Fred or McTominay, Shaw or Varane for the Red Devils. The Canaries are still bottom but have a draw and a win in their last two. Gilmour possibly back, Sargent and Kabak out.
Southampton 15:00 Arsenal
Next of the 3 o'clock games is Southampton versus Arsenal at St Mary's. The Saints are on a terrible run, collecting onky 1 point from a possible 15. No injury worries for Southampton though. Arsenal are in 5th place but are missing Tomiyasu, Tierney, Partey and possibly Lacazette for this one.
Watford 15:00 Brentford
The last of the 3pm matches is a game between Watford and Brentford. The Hornets are 19th and on a poor run of form. Brentford on the other hand have won four of their last five matches. Toney and Mbuemo in good form. Watford will be missing Cucho. No Onyeka for Brentford.
FA Cup Semi-Final
Manchester City 15:30 Liverpool
You have 30 minutes to see team news for the 3:30pm FA Cup match between Manchester City and Liverpool. Both the teams played in the Champions League in midweek, Man City got a nil-nil draw whereas Liverpool's draw was a 3-3 thriller. City have doubts over Walker and KDB meanwhile Jota is a slight doubt for Liverpool
Sunday 17th April
Premier League
Newcastle United 14:15 Leicester City
Two Premier League games at 2:15pm, the first featuring Newcastle United v Leicester City. The Magpies are 15th but their form has been patchy of late. Fraser and Willock are injury doubts. Leicester played and won in Europe during the week. Still no Vardy and Soumaré is also missing for the Foxes.
West Ham United 14:15 Burnley
The other 2:15pm game is between West Ham United and Burnley. The Hammers recorded a famous victory in Europe on Thursday. Hearing Zouma could be out for the season. Burnley sacked Sean Dyche on Friday - will this inspire a new manager bounce? Still no Mee or Pieters for the Clarets.
FA Cup Semi-Final
Chelsea 16:30 Crystal Palace
The last game this weekend is an FA Cup Semi-Final between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at 4:30pm. Chelsea played out an exciting Champions League game on Tuesday but were still knocked out. Lukaku to be assessed prior to this game. The Eagles are safely in mid-table so should field a strong side today though have doubts over Hughes, Mitchell and Olise. Gallagher can not play against his parent club.
More games coming up in midweek – and don’t forget to checkout our MicroNational Space Program if you’re wondering what you’ll do with your weekends when the League ends…. https://www.facebook.com/groups/668066807620494
RSS Feed
