Chelsea vs. Manchester City, FA Cup: Team News & Preview

Welcome to Game #4 of the 2012-13 Ca$hico Series (presented by Gazprom) between Chelsea and Manchester City. This is a six-game series, as we know, with two back-to-back exhibition matches coming up later to decide who takes home the biggest pile of FFP cash.

Chelsea do find themselves in a hole, having failed to win any of the previous three matchups. New Wembley is the setting for this one however, a place that has seen plenty of Blue rejoicing in recent years. We'll have to find a new King of Wembley first though.

In any case, this being the fourth time Chelsea have faced City in the span of just eight months, I've really got nothing new to say. It's good thing then that we have all you, Dear Commenters. Let's see what all y'all have contributed to this series so far. Take it away, most Rec'd comments!

GAME #1, Community Shield (Chelsea 2, City 3):

Preview:
El Plastico. The Oil Firm Derby. Blah, blah, blah. - 'Valens'

Game Thread:
Torres goal GIF - 'CFClover'

Reaction:
Do you have faith in Turbull [sic] and Hilario? - 'Archit Arya'

GAME #2, Premier League (Chelsea 0 Manchester City 0)

Preview:
Maybe if he didn't push his back high up his spine he wouldn't be so fat - 'spazzkay'

First Half:
Rafa's 4-2-3-1
Sushi -———————-
Crapes—Pancakes—Waffles—Eggos
Lobster -- Crab -————-
Chicken -- Turkey -- Duck -
Parfait -——————— - 'Dr Chelsea'

Second Half:
go on Ceaser [sic]
Cesar Azpilicueta made more tackles than any other player in the first half (5) and won 100% of them #CFC - 'SwapnilS'

Reaction:
Does stagnation from a downward trajectory count as improvement? - 'Al Benson'

Recap:
This isn’t FIFA 13 mate - 'Lesean25'

GAME #3, Premier League (Manchester City 2 Chelsea 0)

Preview:
haha i saw this on tumblr. hope you guys enjoy it as much as i did. - 'Oheneba'
[Click me]

First Half:
Mata against a combination of Toure, Rodwell AND Garcia reminds me of this scene from The Hobbit - 'Azzarinho'
[Click me]

Second Half:
Proud of our away fans
Still loud and proud, "fuck off Benitez, you’re not wanted here". - 'StreetsBehind'

Reaction:
Initial Reaction? - ChelseaRDM

Recap:
When Oscar and Moses stepped in at the touchline
I was happy, FSW was making a good change, taking out Ramires, who was piss poor, and Lampard or Mata, both looked out of sorts…and then
BAZZZZIIIINNNGGAAAA!! - 'Akshay Pannala'

So there we have it. What did we learn? Absolutely nothing. Oh well, maybe next time.

Date/Time: Sunday, April 14, 16:00 BST; 11:00 A.M. EST; 8:30 P.M. IST

Venue: Wembley Stadium, London

TV Information: ITV 1 (UK); Fox Soccer (USA); ESPN/HD (India)

For Chelsea, the injury list is about the same as for the trip to Russia. Demba Ba's ankle is a bit of an unknown. For City, Maicon - did you forget Maicon played for City? Congrats, you're just like everybody else! - and David Silva are out with knee and hamstring problems, respectively.

City are the slight favorites here, but Chelsea could certainly knick it. It's going to all depend on the lineup - obvious statement is obvious! - but in essence this is the FA Cup final with the winner playing Wigan Athletic, vanquishers of Millwall earlier today, in a formality.

Keep the Chelsea Cup, Chelsea! COME ON YOU BLUES!