FA CUP Semi-final preview: Wembley to tremble as Red Devils, Spurs go to battle

Manchester United and Tottenham will fight it out for their only chance at silverware when they clash at Wembley.

Jose Mourinho is under pressure to win silverware after what many will feel is an underwhelming season despite a few signs of progress. Failure to beat West Brom at the weekend handed the Premier League title to Man City, further underlining what has been a hugely inconsistent season.

They got back to winning ways in midweek though, cruising to a 2-0 win with Lukaku back amongst the goals. Spurs on the other hand will have a slight feeling of desperation.

Mauricio Pochettino has done a fine job in making the Lilywhites a force to be reckoned with, but they haven’t lifted a single piece of silverware in a decade. They now have the advantage of playing both the semi-final and the final, should they make it that far, on their home ground.

Both teams have faced each other twice, and have two wins apiece. Toby Alderweireld could feature after making his first starts in six months against Brighton. Eric Bailly should also start for United, with the likes of Valencia and Ashley Young sure to start after being rested against Bournemouth.

Tomorrow, Chelsea and Southampton will face each other for the second time in a week at Wembley. The Blues met the Saints at St. Mary’s last weekend and came from two goals down to pick up a 3-2 win. All three goals were scored in a crazy eight-minute spell, but Mark Hughes has now charged his side to go for the kill.

The FA Cup represents a final chance at silverware for Antonio Conte after a poor defence of their title.

Chelsea have won 11 of their last 14 semi-finals, while the Saints are reaching this stage for the first time since 2006. With a relegation battle on one side, it will be interesting to see how Mark Hughes approaches this tie.

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