Originally Posted by SkySports

Arsenal v Chelsea preview

Arsenal and Chelsea head to Wembley on Saturday to battle it out for a place in the FA Cup final.


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Both clubs have a strong recent history in the competition, having secured the trophy in seven of the past twelve years between them.

Chelsea's most recent success came in 2007, but for Arsenal their 2005 victory marked the beginning of a barren four-year spell that they will be desperate to break this time round.

And with the North Londoners seemingly out of the title race and facing a tough UEFA Champions League tie with Manchester United, the FA Cup may well be Arsenal's best chance of silverware this year.

History does appear to be on the side of Arsene Wenger's men for the competition as Chelsea have failed to defeat Arsenal in the FA Cup for over sixty years, including the 2002 final between the two clubs.

Moreover, Arsenal have won the only meeting between the sides this season - a Robin Van Persie double seeing off Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Team news

Despite their good form against their rivals, Arsenal will have to overcome further injury problems at the back if they wish to maintain their long-held record over Chelsea.

Kieran Gibbs is a doubt with a groin problem picked up against Villarreal on Wednesday, while Bacary Sagna has been ruled out after failing to shake-off the virus that kept him out of his side's Champions League tie.

With Gael Clichy, Johann Djourou and William Gallas also out injured, Arsene Wenger could shift Mikael Silvestre to the left-back slot and bring in Alex Song to fill the centre-back vacancy alongside Kolo Toure.

Meanwhile, options further up the pitch are far more plentiful for Arsenal, with Andrey Arshavin and Eduardo available to complement the in-form trio of Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adeybayor and Theo Walcott.

Arshavin is likely to make the line-up after being cup-tied in Europe, and Eduardo will be hoping to have finally shaken off a series of injury problems to take his place on the bench.

Defensive Blues

Chelsea are likely to stick with a similar starting XI that secured a 4-4 Champions League draw with Liverpool in midweek, although the return of John Terry to the defence will be a welcome inclusion.

The Blues have shipped a worrying seven goals in their last two games, but regardless of the statistics, manager Guus Hiddink is likely to return to the back four that almost capitulated to Bolton in the league.

Branislav Ivanovic should retain his place at right-back as Jose Bosingwa continues to struggle with a hamstring strain, and John Terry will return to the line-up in place of Alex after serving a one-match ban in Europe.

Up front, Hiddink may opt to start Nicholas Anelka in place of Salomon Kalou in light of the striker's impressive substitute appearance against Liverpool.

The Chelsea boss may also take into account Anelka's history with their opponents, while fellow former Gunner Ashley Cole will once again line-up against the club he left so acrimoniously in 2006.

Possible starting XIs:

Arsenal: Fabianski, Eboue, Toure, Song, Silvestre, Walcott, Diaby, Arshavin, Fabregas, Van Persie, Adebayor.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Anelka, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Drogba.

Originally Posted by Mark~
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Watching the IPL now, then listening to Millwall, then watching Arsenal/Chelsea, and then the last of the IPL. Today is good. If Millwall win.
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As far as the Semis go, I think it'll be a Chelsea/Man United final.

Originally Posted by SkySports

Premier League preview

The Premier League relegation battle takes centre stage this weekend with tension rising ahead of the final six fixtures.


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With Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton involved in FA Cup semi-final action and Liverpool left kicking their heels, all the attention will be on the scrap at the foot of the table.

Eight clubs remain threatened by the drop prior to what promises to be a pressurised and unpredictable period for each of the protagonists.

Sunderland's home meeting with Hull City stands out among Saturday's games with both clubs sliding dangerously down the table towards the bottom three.

The Black Cats have garnered just two points from their past seven fixtures, although they should take heart from a determined, if ultimately fruitless, display against leaders Manchester United last time out.

Ricky Sbragia, who enjoyed a 4-1 success against the Tigers while in caretaker charge, has been forced to fend off increasing speculation over his future with his position coming under greater scrutiny with every passing defeat.

Opposing boss Phil Brown has admitted he had 'harsh and hard words' with his squad after their limp 3-1 defeat at Middlesbrough last time out and a run of just one victory in 16 Premier League outings has them in serious peril.

Middlesbrough were being written off in many quarters before their success against the Tigers and they could climb out of the bottom three with a three-point haul against Fulham at the Riverside.

The Cottagers have not been the best of travellers this season, with just two wins to their name, but they have a mean defence and enjoyed a 3-1 success against Manchester City at Eastlands last Sunday.

Finding the net has been the root cause of many of Boro's problems this term, and with leading scorer Tuncay Sanli having scored just six league goals, they need to continue the more clinical nature demonstrated against Hull.
Toon test

Newcastle complete the North East trio who are under the threat of the drop with Alan Shearer taking his Magpies to Tottenham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.

Shearer picked up the first point of his tenure in the 1-1 draw at Stoke last weekend and feels his charges are now showing the spirit required to clamber away from the bottom three.

The two-point gap currently between the Toon Army and safety could have increased by the time Newcastle take to the field against a Spurs side who are now thinking of Europe rather than the Championship.

Harry Redknapp has dragged the White Hart Lane side away from danger and they are now just three points behind West Ham, with seventh place expected to be enough to secure a place in the new-look Europa League next term.

Blackburn are yet another Premier League side who made a change in the managerial hotseat due to relegation concerns, but Sam Allardyce knows there is much work to be done to secure their top-flight status, starting with a trip to Stoke City.

Rovers were humbled 4-0 by Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, with Allardyce's employment of centre-back Chris Samba as a lone striker backfiring badly as out-of-favour Benni McCarthy was left looking on from the bench.

But with Roque Santa Cruz expected to miss the remainder of the season after knee surgery and Jason Roberts still recovering from a stress fracture to his foot, Samba could continue in his unorthodox role.

The Potters have opened up a six-point cushion on the bottom three, mainly on the back of their impressive home form, but Tony Pulis will not allow his charges to let up despite that gap, particularly against one of their relegation rivals.

Six-pointer

Fratton Park hosts another encounter which could comfortably be billed as a 'six-pointer' as Portsmouth, who still have a game in hand on all their relegation rivals, welcome Bolton to the South Coast.

Pompey boss Paul Hart came under fire from the home fans for his cautious approach in the draw against West Brom, while opposite number Gary Megson has spent much of his time at the helm of the Trotters taking criticism from sceptical sections of their support.

Megson has guided Bolton to the brink of safety, but success for Boro and Newcastle last weekend coupled with their defeat in a seven-goal thriller at Chelsea means the Reebok Stadium club can not yet begin planning for next term in the top flight.

West Brom's position is without doubt the most parlous as they sit seven points adrift of safety and with the worst goal difference in the division ahead of Sunday's trip to inconsistent Manchester City.

Time is rapidly running out for Tony Mowbray's Baggies and talk around the Hawthorns has already started to turn towards planning for next season's expected Championship campaign.

City's previously impressive home record was tarnished by their hapless display against Fulham last weekend, where manager Mark Hughes bore the brunt of the fans' anger and out-of-form record signing Robinho started the match on the bench.

Aston Villa, who have taken just two points from a possible 21, have a final chance to give their fading UEFA Champions League hopes a much-needed lift as they welcome fellow high-flyers West Ham to Villa Park.

Martin O'Neill's men have an eight-point gap to make up on Arsenal over the final six games of the season, but with the Gunners still to face title challengers United, Liverpool and Chelsea, some slender hope remains.

A place in the Europa League is a much more likely destination for the Midlands club, which is where Gianfranco Zola's sights are set after an impressive season as a novice Premier League manager.