Football Preview

Manchester City vs Liverpool & Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: FA Cup Semi-Final Preview and Betting Tips

FA Cup football returns to Wembley this weekend as four of the country’s biggest teams battle it out for a place in the final of the historic competition. Saturday’s clash will see Manchester City and Liverpool lock horns for the third time this season, while Chelsea and Crystal Palace will go head-to-head in Sunday’s fixture.

Here at NetBet, we’ve previewed both semi-finals and provided the best betting tips available on our football odds page to help you win some money this weekend.

Manchester City vs Liverpool Football Preview

There has been nothing to separate England’s two best teams this season, with both league meetings ending 2-2. City will feel like they probably should have taken all three points in last weekend’s game, after missing numerous glorious chances and have a goal disallowed for a marginal offside.

For all the dominance against the rest of the league, Liverpool have not enjoyed much success against Pep Guardiola’s City in recent years. Since beating the Blues over two legs in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2018, Jurgen Klopp’s side have managed just one win against their rivals in nine competitive fixtures.

The league leaders will go into the semi-final as 5/4 favourites thanks to their strong record, although Liverpool did cause them problems defensively with their intensity and pressure off the ball. It’s usually a tight affair when these two meet – three of the last four games have ended all square – but Liverpool will fancy their chances of upsetting their 2/1 odds.

Manchester City vs Liverpool Betting Tips

*Odds correct at the time of publication and subject to change.

Tie with goals – 3/1

There’s been nothing to separate these sides across 180 minutes this season, and that’s been the case for the past few years. We can see this one forced to extra-time and potentially penalties.

Liverpool win, both to score, over 2.5 goals, Mo Salah first goal scorer – 24/1

The last time these two met in a cup competition, Liverpool won 5-1 across two legs. It’ll be end-to-end action yet again, and we wouldn’t put it past Mo Salah to end his drought with a goal at Wembley.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Football Preview

Chelsea will be desperate to right the wrongs of successive FA Cup final defeats, but an in form Palace teams stand in their way of another trip to Wembley. The Blues will be confident given their impressive record in this fixture – they have beaten Palace in nine straight meetings. However, the Eagles are entering an exciting new era with Patrick Vieira at the helm, and they have nothing to lose this weekend.

Palace are dreaming of a first ever FA Cup trophy, with two previous finals trips ending in heartbreak at the hands of Manchester United. They will go into Sunday’s game having lost just once in their last eight games, a run that includes a draw with Man City and a win over Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. They are sitting comfortably in mid-table and will enjoy a full week’s rest ahead of the game, in stark contrast to a Chelsea side they played 120 minutes in an exhilarating Champions League tie on Tuesday night.

It perhaps comes as no surprise that Chelsea will go into the semi-final as 4/7 favourites, but at huge 5/1 odds, it’s hard to ignore a potential Palace upset.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Betting Tips

*Odds correct at the time of publication and subject to change.

Chelsea win, both to score, Kai Havertz to score anytime – 5/1

Previous results would suggest a Chelsea win to nil is favourite, but there is so much more on the line this weekend. Palace will no doubt make this competitive.

Palace win and both to score – 10/1

You simply cannot ignore these odds. Whether Tuchel opts for a rotated side or plays an eleven that surely must be feeling the effects of their midweek game, Palace have every chance of booking a place in the final.

When you choose NetBet Sport, you can enjoy a whole range of top quality sports and markets. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet, player wellbeing is our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information.

NetBet Boosts are extremely popular with our customers at NetBet Sport. These can be used across a wide range of sports and you can check out more information on NetBet Boosts on our Promotions page!