Pundits all agree on Chelsea vs Man City FA Cup prediction with new Cole Palmer role clear

Despite being on their best run of form under Mauricio Pochettino, unbeaten in eight, without defeat in 90 minutes for two months and another four matches, Chelsea are heavy underdogs for the FA Cup semi-final meeting with Manchester City. The two sides have already drawn twice in entertaining encounters this season but that isn't expected to be enough for the Blues.

Pep Guardiola's side remain on the hunt for a double even after their penalties defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday night. They have a (possibly temporary) two-point gap at the top of the Premier League and can now focus all attention on domestic matches for the final four weeks of the campaign.

Chelsea, however, are looking to reach a second final of the season having been left disappointed following the Carabao Cup extra time woes against Liverpool in February. Since then things have turned around for Pochettino, though failing to beat Brentford, Burnley, and Sheffield United has left his position uncertain still.

Ensuring another trip to Wembley is on the cards would certainly be a massive boost for the Argentine but it is City that remain strong favourites for the game, even with their lack of recovery time and emotional obstacles. «Manchester City did not deserve to go out of the Champions League on Wednesday,» wrote former Blues forward Chris Sutton for BBC.

«On the balance of play against Real Madrid, they can count themselves a bit unlucky to lose the tie. It is important that they bounce back quickly, though, starting here.

»City's main focus now will be their attempt to become the first side in the 136-year history of English league football to be crowned champions four times in a row. That would be a huge achievement, and going out of Europe will aid