Four of the biggest British clubs collide in two thrilling clashes at Wembley
It is the weekend of the FA Cup semifinal, when four Premier League giants clash in two clashes in Wembley.
The main event of the weekend is Manchester United’s encounter with Chelsea, while these two old rivals tiptoe.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team has had a remarkable shape since football resumed following the suspension of the coronavirus and they are the most fit team in the country.
However, despite the glittering offensive game of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood, supported by the genius of Bruno Fernandes, the Red Devils will be stung after dropping two critical points in the first four games against Southampton on Monday.
United appeared long-legged during the final stages of that competition, and while Solskjaer has been praised for sticking to the same starting XI in recent games, he may be tempted to shuffle his backpack for the match against Chelsea.
However, he will also be confident that Frank Lampard’s team has shown some vulnerabilities in recent weeks, particularly in defense.
Chelsea were lucky enough to defeat Crystal Palace in a narrow 3-2 win, but were completely canceled out in the next game, a 3-0 loss to Sheffield United.
United’s front three – with all their rhythm, movement and clinical refinements – could prove to be too much for the difficult situation of the Blues.
Chelsea can take some encouragement from their difficult run to the semifinals after sending Hull City, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Leicester City en route to the four finals.
United, on the contrary, ousted Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tranmere Rovers and Derby County, before moving past Norwich City in overtime during the quarterfinals.
Arsenal and Manchester City, which meet in the first semifinal, scheduled for Saturday, both have record records at this stage of the competition.
The Gunners have won nine of their last 12 semi-finals at this stage, while City has advanced in 10 of the last 12 occasions, has reached the last four.
Both arrive at this game in excellent shape, although the City are the overwhelming favorites, having far surpassed Arsenal in the first game after the restart.
Since then, however, Mikel Arteta’s defense has begun to seem increasingly competent – apart from a horror collapse in the North London derby – while his top three looked threatening when the Liverpool champions were defeated on Wednesday night.
The club in the capital has been without silverware since it won the FA Cup three years ago, and as Arteta would like to keep the chances of a trophy alive with a win over her former mentor, Pep Guardiola, in Saturday’s meeting.
SuperSport calendar
Thursday 16th July – Barcelona vs Osasuna (LaLiga)
Thursday 16th July – Real Madrid vs Villarreal (LaLiga)
Thursday 16th July – Leicester vs Sheffield (Premier League)
Thursday 16th July – Crystal Palace vs Manchester United (Premier League)
Thursday 16 July – SPAL – Inter (Serie A)
Saturday 18th July – Arsenal vs Manchester City (FA Cup)
Saturday 18 July – Verona – Atalanta (Serie A)
Saturday 18 July – AC Milan vs Bologna (Serie A)
Sunday 19th July – Tottenham vs Leicester (Premier League)
Sunday 19 July – Manchester United vs Chelsea (FA Cup)
Sunday 19 July – Rome – Inter (Serie A)
Sunday 19th July – Leganes vs Real Madrid (LaLiga)
Sunday 19th July – Alaves vs Barcelona (LaLiga)
Also this week, there is action in the Premier League, with Tottenham Hotspur hosting Leicester City on Sunday live on SuperSport, and that the Foxes will also meet Sheffield United in a match broadcast on Thursday.
It is set to be a critical week for Brendan Rodgers’ team, which has lost a lot of ground to rivals since football has resumed.
Once sat enough in third place, Leicester would have dropped to fifth if Michael Obafemi hadn’t scored Southampton’s draw against United, having only won one of his last six games.
With three games to play, Leicester is fourth and in the UCL qualifying seats, but can he return to winning against the Blades or Spurs?
Before tackling Chelsea in the FA Cup, United also have a grumpy clash with the Premier League to think about when they go out to Crystal Palace on Thursday.
The Eagles have lost all their last five games and have the second worst record in the division, but can Roy Hodgson get an answer from his troops?
Across the rest of Europe, LaLiga is reaching its conclusion, with Real Madrid on the brink of a Spanish title.
With two games to play – against Villarreal on Thursday and Sunday away against Leganes – they are 83 points, four from Barcelona.
Barca, who will host Osasuna on Thursday before going to Deportivo Alaves on Sunday, knows that one more victory for Real would bring the title beyond them.
Barcelona frontman Luis Suarez seems to have already admitted that the championship is anything but Real.
“If you have to be honest, the championship is almost impossible,” he said Sports diary. “It’s clear that [Barca’s goalless draw] against Sevilla it’s a game that makes things very difficult for you. We had options to move forward.
“That day was important but [the 2-2 draw in] Vigo was the key. We have lost our great opportunity. “
Finally, the weekend also brings the action of Serie A, with Atalanta away to Hellas Verona and AS Roma hosting Internazionale.
Atalanta ramped up in the win against Brescia on Tuesday, demolishing them 6-2 and artists of the caliber of Duvan Zapata and Mario Pasalic make them one of the most capable teams to watch in Europe.
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The triumph of Inter over Turin was not so direct, after Andrea Belotti launched the Toro, but the Nerazzurri gathered in the second half.
Ashley Young, Diego Godin and Lautaro Martinez scored in 13 minutes of the second half while Antonio Conte’s team made their way to victory, and they can close the gap with Juventus leaders by three points if they defeat SPAL 2013 Thursday and Roma away Sunday.
Juve are not back in action until their showdown with Lazio on Monday evening.
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