Chelsea take on Crystal Palace at Wembley on Sunday for the semi-final of this seasons FA Cup. Palace sit 10th in the Premier League having had a stellar season under Patrick Vieira and they have only lost one of their last five games in the league. Palace beat Millwall 1-2 in the 3rd round, Hartlepool 2-0 in the 4th round, Stoke City 2-1 in the 5th round, and Everton 4-0 in the quarter-finals. Scoring 10 and conceding two over four games is a good bit of form. A trip to Wembley in his first season will be a massive accomplishment for Vieira.
Chelsea go into this game having beaten Real Madrid 2-3 at the Bernabeu but getting knocked out of the Champions League on aggregate. Having been 0-3 in the 80th minute one wonder what could have been but the damage from the 1st leg and a lack of luck played its part. So Chelsea head to Wembley now with the FA Cup being the final chance at a trophy this season.
Chelsea have reached the final on the last two occasions. A loss to Arsenal in 19-20 and a loss to Leicester last season. We have already reached played a final at Wembley this season having lost to Liverpool on penalties, a game that we should have won because Lukaku scored a legitimate goal. Last seasons FA Cup heartbreak spurred on Chelsea to win against City in the CL final. Fans will hope that the heartbreak at the Bernabeu helps us get the job done at Wembley this season.
Pre-match Tuchel was asked about how the players were feeling and he said it was a mix of confidence having played so well and of heartbreak having been so close. Tuchel said its about refocusing and sweating out that heartbreak in training. If Chelsea do beat Palace the club will face either Manchester City or Liverpool in the final.
Chelsea Team Preview
Everyone is fit to play apart from Chilwell, and Hudson-Odoi. Mendy should start in goal with a back three of Azpilicueta, Silva, and Rudiger. Chalobah, and Christensen could play but I think we need leaders on the pitch for this game just to make sure everyone is up for it. James, and Alonso should start as the wing backs with a midfield of Kovacic, and Jorginho. Kante was not great against Real and he did prove costly. RLC could also start. Up front Chelsea should stick with Mount, Werner, and Havertz. The three were standout against Madrid and Pulisic, and Ziyech came on to miss some good chances. Lukaku is also back but I would not start him. It’s a good lineup and one that needs to focused for the game.
Crystal Palace Team Preview
Palace will be without a key player in Conor Gallagher. Gallagher has been crucial to Palace’s success this season, getting goals and assists. Its his pressing which is his best attribute though and the fact that he is a constant menace for the opposition. Gallagher though cannot play because he is on loan from Chelsea and the rules were clear when Palace loaned him at the beginning of the season. Tuchel said he got the chance to speak to Gallagher a few weeks ago and he apologised for the situation. Guaita should start in goal with a back four of Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, and Mitchell who should be fit. Kouyate and Schlupp should start in central midfield. Ayew, Olise, and Zaha should start behind Mateta who has been in fine form. Even with Gallagher missing Palace will be pumped for the game and Vieira will have everyone motivated. Players like Olise, and Zaha are very dangerous while Guehi, Andersen, and Guaita are solid players at the back. Mitchell has also impressed.
Starting XI Prediction
A semi-final is massive regardless of the opposition. Chelsea have played Palace two times in the league, a 3-0 home win and a tighter 0-1 away win. The team needs to look at the positives of the Real Madrid game and see that it was a massive win regardless of the overall outcome. Be solid and be clinical, COME ON CHELSEA!!!