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England FA Cup - Final, May 14th
- Thread starter spkutano
- Start date
From Wikipedia
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout competition in English football, organized by and named after The Football Association (the FA). It is the oldest existing football competition in the World, having commenced in the 1871–72 season. The tournament is open to all clubs in the top 10 levels of the English football league system, although a club's home stadium must meet certain requirements prior to entering the tournament. The competition culminates at the end of the league season (usually in May) with the FA Cup Final, officially named The Football Association Challenge Cup Final Tie, which has traditionally been regarded as the showpiece finale of the English football season.
The vast majority of FA Cup Final matches have been in London: most of these were played at the original Wembley Stadium, which was used from 1923 until the stadium closed in 2000. The other venues used for the final before 1923 were Kennington Oval, Crystal Palace, Stamford Bridge and Lillie Bridge, all in London, Goodison Park in Liverpool and Fallowfield Stadium and Old Trafford in Manchester. The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff hosted the final for six years (2001–2006), while the new Wembley Stadium was under construction. Other grounds have been used for replays, which until 1999 took place if the initial match ended in a draw. The new Wembley Stadium has been the permanent venue of the final since 2007.
As of 2021, the record for the most wins is held by Arsenal with 14 victories. The cup has been won by the same team in two or more consecutive years on ten occasions, and four teams have won consecutive finals more than once: Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. The cup has been won by a non-English team once: Cardiff City in 1927. The cup is currently held by Leicester City, who defeated Chelsea in the 2021 final.
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout competition in English football, organized by and named after The Football Association (the FA). It is the oldest existing football competition in the World, having commenced in the 1871–72 season. The tournament is open to all clubs in the top 10 levels of the English football league system, although a club's home stadium must meet certain requirements prior to entering the tournament. The competition culminates at the end of the league season (usually in May) with the FA Cup Final, officially named The Football Association Challenge Cup Final Tie, which has traditionally been regarded as the showpiece finale of the English football season.
The vast majority of FA Cup Final matches have been in London: most of these were played at the original Wembley Stadium, which was used from 1923 until the stadium closed in 2000. The other venues used for the final before 1923 were Kennington Oval, Crystal Palace, Stamford Bridge and Lillie Bridge, all in London, Goodison Park in Liverpool and Fallowfield Stadium and Old Trafford in Manchester. The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff hosted the final for six years (2001–2006), while the new Wembley Stadium was under construction. Other grounds have been used for replays, which until 1999 took place if the initial match ended in a draw. The new Wembley Stadium has been the permanent venue of the final since 2007.
As of 2021, the record for the most wins is held by Arsenal with 14 victories. The cup has been won by the same team in two or more consecutive years on ten occasions, and four teams have won consecutive finals more than once: Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. The cup has been won by a non-English team once: Cardiff City in 1927. The cup is currently held by Leicester City, who defeated Chelsea in the 2021 final.
Liverpool vs Chelsea Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Keita, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz
Chelsea:
Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Alonso; Mount; Havertz, Lukaku
About the team news, Klopp will be missing Fabinho and that's a big handicap. The Brazilian suffered a hamstring injury against Aston Villa and won't be risked here. On the positive note, Roberto Firmino has recovered from a foot injury. It is not clear who will start at goalkeeping position - FA Cup hero Caoimhin Kelleher or more experienced Alisson Becker. Left-back Andy Robertson should start in defense after enjoying a complete rest in midweek. In attack, Mohamed Salah should join Sadio Mane and new star Luis Diaz.
Tuchel also has one of the key players injured after Mateo Kovacic became victim of a dreadful tackle from Daniel James at Elland Road, for which the Leeds man was sent off for. Most probably he will be replaced by Jorginho. Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi remain sidelined. There are question-mark about two spots in attack. With Kai Havertz almost sure to start, Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner are looking for the second. The Belgian has scored another goal in the win over Leeds following his brace against Wolverhampton, while Werner has five contributions (two goals and three assists) in the FA Cup this season, the most of any player in the tournament.
Liverpool vs Chelsea Prediction:
This is the first time that the same teams have met in the both the EFL Cup and FA Cup finals in the same season since Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday did so in 1993. I think Chelsea will remain unbeaten after the regular 90 minutes. Of course, that doesn't mean they will lift the trophy. This is the fourth mutual match between Liverpool and Chelsea this season. All three played so far finished with draw after the regular 90 minutes. Another draw is very possible, but I will suggest a safer option. Chelsea are in good form, they won 3:0 against Leeds United during the midweek and the players confidence is high. Liverpool's quadruple dream is almost dead and I am sure the atmosphere in the squad isn't too high at the moment. The Reds dropped points against Tottenham, while Manchester City look unstoppable. Salah is completely out of form and that's the first problem for Klopp. The second is Fabinho's injury. I don't see a player able to replace him. The Blues could take advantage from Klopp's problems.
Liverpool vs Chelsea Pick: Chelsea +0.5 AH @ 1.82 with Pinnacle
Confirmed starting lineups:
Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, Keita; Salah, Mane, Luis Diaz
Chelsea:
Mendy; Rudiger, Silva, Chalobah; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Pulisic, Lukaku, Mount
Substitutes:
Liverpool:: Kelleher, Gomez, Matip, Tsimikas, Jones, Milner, Jota, Firmino, Origi
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Sarr, Kante, Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Saul, Werner, Ziyech
Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, Keita; Salah, Mane, Luis Diaz
Chelsea:
Mendy; Rudiger, Silva, Chalobah; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Pulisic, Lukaku, Mount
Substitutes:
Liverpool:: Kelleher, Gomez, Matip, Tsimikas, Jones, Milner, Jota, Firmino, Origi
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Sarr, Kante, Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Saul, Werner, Ziyech
0-0 after regular 90 minutes, Bet won
