Chelsea Vs. Tottenham: Watch Live, Online Stream; Preview, Prediction, Team News For FA Cup Semi-Final
When and Where: The FA Cup semi-final kicks off from Wembley at 1 p.m. ET. Live coverage will be on the Fox Soccer Channel. An online stream will also be available in delayed form, via subscription to FoxSoccer2Go.
Preview: While both clubs may have their focus at this stage of the season on other competitions, the players on show will have nothing on their minds but securing a place in the FA Cup final when they run out onto the Wembley turf on Sunday.
Chelsea perhaps has the greatest distractions, with the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona coming up on Wednesday. Having voiced his frustration with the scheduling of this clash at Wembley, Chelsea boss Roberto di Matteo is faced with the conundrum of deciding how much to rotate his lineup for the two semi-finals.
For Tottenham, too, their season will be defined by their performances elsewhere. Having looked good to claim a Champions League place for much of the season, a poor run of form has seen Harry Redknapp's side clinging onto the final qualifying place by the skin of their teeth.
But a first FA Cup in more than 20 years would also be a significant achievement for the eight-time winners of the world's oldest cup competition.
Both meetings between the sides in the Premier League this season have resulted in draws; 1-1 at White Hart Lane last December and 0-0 at Stamford Bridge last month.
Team News: Branislav Ivanovic is suspended having had retrospective action taken against him for striking Wigan's Shaun Maloney. Jose Bosingwa is expected to come in to the lineup. Fellow defenders John Terry and Ashley Cole should be fit, though Di Matteo may not risk the pair ahead of the meeting with Barcelona in midweek.
With Younes Kaboul out injured, Ledley King may be risked despite the concern of his chronic knee injury flaring up, having played on Monday night. Scott Parker, Rafael van der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor should all return to the starting lineup, having been rested against Norwich last time out.
Prediction: Neither of the two London rivals comes into this semi-final in the best of form, meaning that, like their recent Premier League meeting, this may not be the most entertaining of fairs. The tie could well go all the way to extra time and quite possibly penalties, but in the end Chelsea should have the greater experience and toughness to ensure a return trip to Wembley next month.
Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham
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