Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City
With the first semi final witnessing a hard-fought Manchester derby, today’s fixture at the national stadium was bound not to enthuse neutral supporters to the same degree. Not that fans of the two teams will care. Stoke, whose crowd at the Britannia Stadium is consistently acknowledged as one of the best in the Premier League, will hope to replicate that atmosphere inside Wembley. The Potters, who have never won the FA Cup, are not 100 per cent safe from relegation, but it would take an exceptional set of results for them to miss out on top-flight football next year.
Bolton, meanwhile, are sitting pretty in eighth position in the table, and Owen Coyle’s first full season in charge could represent one of the most successful in recent years. They will be without cup-tied goal-scoring sensation Daniel Sturridge, who has scored six goals in his eight games for Wanderers. However, they have managed well without him in previous rounds, securing away wins against three Premier League opponents, Wigan (albeit a replay), Fulham and Birmingham.
Prediction: Bolton 2-1 Stoke
Arsenal v Liverpool
Liverpool fans will have noticed that Fernando Torres yesterday extended his run at Chelsea without scoring, something that was put into context by Reds’ striker Andy Carroll opening his account for the club with a brace against Manchester City on Monday. Liverpool were dominant in that fixture, taking a 3-0 lead into half-time and being able to take their collective foot off the gas. As unlikely as it seemed just three months ago, Liverpool have an outside chance securing an automatic Europa League spot – although city rivals Everton are breathing down their necks.
Liverpool’s hosts today, Arsenal, can afford nothing less than a win today to keep their stalling championship hopes alive. Three points at Blackpool last weekend was preceded by a dreadful five-week period, in which they were knocked out of all three cup competitions and managed just three draws in their three Premier League outings. Arsenal’s traditional problem – that they do not score enough goals, in spite of their typical midfield creativity – was exacerbated by the equally familiar goalkeeping problems. Being forced to bring Jens Lehmann back to the club does not bode well for a team chasing the title. Even so, I expect them to raise their game today, and sneak a win in what should be a cracking game of football.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
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