Manchester City Favourites to Reach FA Cup Final

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06/04/19

Manchester City Favourites to Reach FA Cup Final

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Despite the fact there are several Premier League fixtures on the weekend, the FA Cup semi-final takes precedence and on Saturday 6th April Manchester City take on Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley.

Manchester City are still on course to complete the quadruple this season and will see his as a match they should be winning. Brighton are struggling in the Premier League and not guaranteed a place in the division for next season, so also have their minds on more than one competition.

Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League on Wednesday night thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win over Cardiff City at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s team could not have asked for a better game ahead of the FA Cup semi-final and his team were rarely tested by the visitors.

That win means Manchester City have won each of their last thirteen matches in all competitions, including the League Cup final and trends show they have scored 2 more goals in each of their last five games.

Manchester City have played four matches in the FA Cup to reach this stage and only once have they really been tested, which was at Swansea City in the quarter-final. Other than that, Manchester City have cruised through against Rotherham United, Burnley and Newport County.

The Citizens have scored 3 or more goals in each of their four FA Cup matches this season.

Brighton suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea on Wednesday night and that result means they still have a fight to survive in the Premier League this season. This match may come as a welcome distraction but they will need to up their level of performance if they are to progress to the final.

Brighton have lost their last two games, both of which were in the Premier League at Chelsea and most disappointingly at home against Southampton. Trends show the Seagulls have won five of their last fourteen matches in all competitions, one of which required extra-time and another needed penalties.

The penalty shootout came in the FA Cup quarter-final against Millwall and the extra-time win was also in the FA Cup, at West Bromwich Albion in the fifth round. In addition to Millwall and West Bromwich Albion, Brighton have defeated Bournemouth and Derby County in the FA Cup this season.

Team news and Manchester City could have Sergio Aguero back in attack for this game. Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Bernardo Silva are also expected to start having been rested on Wednesday.

Brighton have doubts over the fitness of Solly March who was forced off against Chelsea on Wednesday night. Pascal Gross is struggling to recover from a hamstring injury and is not expected to play any part in the game.

Manchester City are huge favourites for this game and rightly so. They are in great form, have all their key players fit and look determined to add another trophy to their cabinet this season.