Manchester United are aiming to deny Liverpool their bid for the top four in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-finals and salvage Erik ten Hag’s difficult second season. When Newcastle travel to defending champions Manchester City, they will need to inflict a major upset on their rivals to stay in contention for a first major trophy in 55 years. AFP Sport highlights what to expect from this weekend’s quarter-finals.
Wolves v Coventry (Saturday 12:15 GMT)
A draw at home to Championship side Coventry City gives Wolves a huge chance to end a great season at Wembley.
Gary O’Neal Rangers went from an expected battle for top-flight survival to challenging Europe through league and cup competition.
Wolves are ninth in the Premier League, ahead of the likes of Newcastle and Chelsea.
However, their pursuit of a first FA Cup victory in 64 years could be hampered by injuries to a number of key players.
Three of O’Neal’s favorite forwards, Matheus Nunez, Hwang Hee-chan and Pedro Neto, will all miss the weekend.
Coventry are eighth in the Championship and are once again dreaming of Wembley after missing out on the Premier League play-off final last season.
Manchester City v Newcastle (Saturday 17.30GMT)
Magpies boss Eddie Howe admits he almost went off the road when he heard his side had been tipped to travel to the Etihad.
Newcastle United beat Manchester City at St James’ Park in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, but Guardiola’s side are a different beast at home.
City are unbeaten in 38 games at the Etihad Stadium since December 2022 and have enjoyed a rare midweek break to prepare.
Kevin De Bruyne is expected to miss the game with a groin injury, while Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is sidelined with a thigh problem.
However, the English champions are on course to win a second consecutive treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
Chelsea v Leicester City (Sunday 12.45GMT)
Chelsea lost the Carabao Cup final to a depleted Liverpool, putting huge pressure on Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine ensured a difficult first season, facing open defiance at times from Chelsea fans.
However, after a slow start at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have lost just one of their last 13 home games.
Leicester City are expected to return to the Premier League immediately as they sit top of the Championship table.
But the Foxes are in trouble at the wrong time of the season as Enzo Maresca’s side have won just two of their last six games.
Manchester United v Liverpool (Sunday 15.30GMT)
Ten Hague is also desperate for a trophy to prove he won’t be sacked from the Old Trafford dugout at the end of the season.
Manchester United enter the weekend in sixth place in the Premier League, 17 points behind their opponents.
Liverpool are in the midst of an exciting treble race and are also in the Europa League quarter-finals after lifting the League Cup last month.
“We’ve won one game and have three games left. I’ve said it before, personally, I want to win all four games,” Reds midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai said.
However, Liverpool’s brutal schedule will leave Klopp with some tough decisions to make this weekend.
Mohamed Salah made his first start for the club since January 1 as a strong side beat Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday.
United could be boosted by the return of striker Rasmus Hoylund, who had seven goals in six games before suffering a muscle injury.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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