Defending champions Chelsea and Premier League holders Manchester City face each other at Wembley, in the high-profile FA Cup semi-final clash today. Whoever wins will emerge as strong favourites to clinch the trophy.

Chelsea v Manchester City
Reuters

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 4pm BST, with ITV, ITV HD, and BBC Radio 5 Live providing live coverage in the UK. Watch highlights of the match on ITV and ITV HD at 11.15pm.

Overview

Both clubs have endured frustrating seasons in the Premier League this term, failing to catch runaway leaders Manchester United, and also suffered early elimination from the Champions League. However, one team now has a massive chance of finishing the season with silverware, as a place in the FA Cup final against Wigan Athletic (who beat Millwall 2-0 on Saturday 13 April in the first semi-final) is up for grabs.

Chelsea enter this game after progressing to the semi-finals of the Europa League at the expense of Rubin Kazan. Rafa Benitez's men lost the second leg in Russia 3-2 on Thursday, with a rotated squad, but won the tie 5-4 on aggregate. City, on the other hand, are riding high on confidence, after beating archrivals United 2-1 at Old Trafford on Monday; a slight consolation, following their failure to defend the league title against their arch-rivals.

The two clubs have met three times this season. City beat Chelsea 3-2 in the Community Shield curtain-raiser at Villa Park in August. In the Premier League, the teams played out a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge in November, followed by a 2-0 victory for City at the Etihad in February.

Form Guide

Chelsea

  • Last Five Games (all competitions, most recent first): L W W W L
  • Last Match: Rubin Kazan 3 - 2 Chelsea

Manchester City

  • Last Five Games (all competitions, most recent first): W W L W W
  • Last Match: Manchester United 1 - 2 Manchester City
Chelsea v Manchester City
Reuters

Team News

Chelsea: This match has come too soon for England internationalsAshley Cole (hamstring) and Gary Cahill (knee) to make their return to action, while long-term absentee Oriol Romeu (knee) will not feature again this season.

However, Ryan Bertrand, who missed the trip to Kazan because of illness, is back in contention. Demba Ba is also available, after recovering from an ankle injury he suffered against Sunderland last week.

Probable Line-up: (4-2-3-1) Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Bertrand; Ramires, Mikel; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Ba

Manchester City: Micah Richards (knee) has returned to full training but will not feature today, while Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Maicon (knee) remain sidelined. David Silva, who suffered a hamstring injury in the Manchester derby is struggling to prove his fitness and will have a late test to determine his participation in this tie.

The big question for manager Roberto Mancini is whether to stick with deputy goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon for this game. The Romanian has replaced England goalkeeper Joe Hart in all City's FA Cup ties so far this season.

Probable Line-up: (4-2-3-1) Pantilimon; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy; Y Toure, Barry; Milner, Tevez, Nasri; Aguero

Russia Manchester United FC