Preview
Premier League champions Manchester City host Sheffield United at Wembley in the semi-finals of the 2022/2023 English FA Cup. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:45 pm (GMT), and after enjoying an impressive run of form leading up to today’s match, Manchester City are strong favourites to win this tie against their Championship opponents.
The Cityzens are without defeat in each of their last fifteen matches in all competitions, winning nine of their last ten over the period. Second on the Premier League table and in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, Pep Guardiola’s men are chasing an astonishing record of being only the second English side to win the treble. Expected to field their best possible eleven, Manchester City are in pole position to reach the final of the FA Cup for the first time since 2019.
Sheffield United have been the success story of this season’s FA Cup as they’ve impressed with their excellent performances. The Blades have won against Millwall, Wrexham, Spurs and Blackburn Rovers to set up today’s “David and Goliath” story in London. With seven wins in their last ten matches, Paul Heckingbottom’s side are in good form as they hope to cause a huge upset against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Head-to-head
Previous meetings between Manchester City and Sheffield United have not gone in favour of the Blades as City have won all five of their last five matches. Their last meeting was back in 2021 when Gabriel Jesus’ strike won the game 1-0 for the Manchester side. The last time these two sides met in the FA Cup was back in 2008 when Sheffield United won 2-1 at Bramall Lane.
Prediction
Sheffield United have all to fight for coming into today’s match as they look to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1936. Manchester City however are in search of their seventh FA Cup trophy and are expected to be ruthless in today’s match. Goals should be expected in today’s match with a win for Manchester City the most probable outcome.
