Manchester City's Fernandinho, right, and Manchester City's Rodrigo celebrate after the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester City at Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Manchester City v. Liverpool Again! FA Cup Semi-Finals Preview:

Ryan Burke April 16, 2022 Premier League, Soccer 1,633 Views

Man City v. Liverpool: Super Rivals

They are rare times in sports when there are two teams that rise to the top and dominate their respective leagues. Examples of this, the 1980s Lakers-Celtics, the 2000s Yankees-Red sox’s, the 2010s Warriors-Cavaliers, and now 2018-2022 Man City-Liverpool.

These two teams have been at the top of English/World football for the past 5 years and this year might be the biggest year for this rivalry.

Let’s list the accomplishments of these two teams for the 2021-2022 Season:

Liverpool won the EFL Cup

Both Semi-Finalist in the FA Cup

Manchester City and Liverpool lead the Premier League by 11 points with seven.

Manchester City and Liverpool Semi-Finalist in Champions League

https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1515028004455563273?s=20&t=vIYn5_kguB0tgrc3VTZ0qA

These teams are at the top, with both teams hard to be separated it is hard to predict what will happen. Both teams have star power. World-class managers with Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. Big athletic center backs with Ruben Diaz and Virgil Van Dijk. Shifty wingers on both sides, City with Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez, Liverpool with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

However, the teams met last week in a Premier League game and we saw what makes this matchup great. City was dominant starting the game with high pressure and a lot of chances but Liverpool bent but never broke. Consequently, Every time City was able to manufacture a goal, Liverpool responded with a quick goal. The game ended 2-2 with both teams taking a point.

There are no draws in the FA Cup Semi-finals. Yes, these teams are dominating but fatigue will play a factor. Success in all competitions leads to a lot of games. Both teams had a game last weekend for the Premier League then had a game mid-week for the Champions League and now have a game again this weekend for the FA Cup. A lot of games with a lot of importance and stress on each game.

The Semi-Final may shift from who is the better team that day, to which team has more fitness on the day.

Chelsea v. Crystal Palace:

Crystal Palace has different expectations going into the FA Cup Semi-Final. Crystal Palace has not had success like the other three teams in the cup Semi-Final. Success in this cup final has not been associated with Palace. The last time they had success was 150 years ago, the last time they made the semi-final.

Moreover, this Crystal Palace team has upside. Premier League legend Patrick Viera leads the team as their new knowledgeable manager. Palace having a young explosive attacking core. With two new forwards being 24 year-old Odsonne Eduard with nine goal contributions and 24-year-old Jean-Philippe Mateta having seven goal contributions. They both will have a part in feeding Crystal Palaces’ star forward, 29-year-old Wilfred Zaha.

They have two advantages, new experience in a big game and having positive moral.

Chelsea F.C. have struggled recently. With their old beloved owner selling the team last month and more recently getting bounced out of the Champions League by Real Madrid this week, Chelsea are struggling to stay positive. This game will be a big test for the team.

With a win against Palace, Chelsea return to a cup final and set themselves up for silverware on the season. With a loss against Palace, the team will have no shot at any silverware for the 2022 season.

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