• FA Cup semi-final preview

Liverpool eye cup boost after backroom clearout

April 13, 2012

In what is a huge weekend for Merseyside, Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final with Everton is live on ESPN this Saturday. Click here for details on how you can tune in to the exclusive coverage

And then there were four. A place in the FA Cup final awaits, with two mouthwatering derbies to decide who will return to Wembley next month. First up, Liverpool will look to put the recent departure of Damien Comolli behind them as they face rivals Everton in their first meeting at Wembley since 1989. On Sunday, Chelsea and Tottenham do battle, but will Roberto Di Matteo have one eye on the Blues' Champions League semi-final clash against Barcelona in midweek?

Saturday

Liverpool v Everton, KO 12:30

Form: Liverpool ended a winless run in the league courtesy of Andy Carroll's last-gasp winner against Blackburn on Tuesday, but regardless of their uninspiring league form, there is no ignoring their performances in knockout competitions. The Reds have already been to Wembley this season, defeating Cardiff on penalties to win the Carling Cup. Everton are ahead of their Merseyside rivals in the league, and warmed up for their trip to Wembley with a 4-0 thumping of Sunderland on Easter Monday, but they lost both league encounters without scoring a goal against their rivals this season.
Key battle: Croatia manager Slaven Bilic believes at £5 million Nikica Jelavic was a bargain for Everton. With first and second choice keepers Pepe Reina and Alexander Doni both suspended, can Brad Jones be Liverpool's hero and keep Jelavic out?
Player to watch: Never far from the headlines this season, Luis Suarez is a controversial figure but has established himself as a Kop favourite. On such an occasion as a cup semi-final against their bitter rivals, Suarez's performance could well determine the outcome of the match. Expect him to net the winner or get sent off. Or both.
Talking point: Comolli paid the price for Liverpool's league toil this season after big-money signings have failed to justify their hefty transfer fees. But following the decision to kick out the director of football just two days before the big match, will Liverpool's players be distracted by the off-field goings-on?
Bet of the day: Luis Suarez to score first in a 3-2 Liverpool win is a tasty 120/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-2

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Sunday

Tottenham v Chelsea, KO 18:00

Form: Tottenham's league form has tailed off of late, with just one win in their last eight games, while Chelsea could end up pipping Spurs to a Champions League spot after losing just one of their last eight. Neither side comes into the match on the back of a win - Chelsea were held by Fulham on Monday, while Spurs suffered a shock defeat at home to Norwich.
Key battle: With first-choice right back Branislav Ivanovic suspended, Di Matteo is likely to turn to Jose Bosingwa to keep Gareth Bale on a tight leash. Bale claimed this week that Spurs boasted the superior team, and the Welsh winger could cause an out-of-form Bosingwa all sorts of problems.
Player to watch:Luka Modric. Spurs stood firm in the summer, rejecting multiple Chelsea bids to keep hold of their playmaker. With Modric making no secret of his desire to move across London, will the Croatian repay Spurs' faith and give the Blues a timely reminder of his abilities?
Talking point: Barcelona's El Clasico clash with Real Madrid has been brought forward by the Spanish FA to give them more time to prepare for the second leg of their Champions League clash against Chelsea. With Sunday's evening kick-off little more than three days before the Champions League first leg, Di Matteo's pleas to rearrange the FA Cup semi-final fell on deaf ears. Should the FA have done more to help Chelsea - the only remaining English team left in the competition?
Bet of the day: Luka Modric to score in a 2-1 Spurs win is 30/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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