MATCH PREVIEW

Willian and Eden Hazard are expected to be restored to Chelsea's line-up after both were substitutes at Burnley.

Marcos Alonso continues a three-match ban for violent conduct after his challenge on Southampton's Shane Long last week.

Southampton duo Sofiane Boufal and Mario Lemina are being assessed after missing Thursday's draw at Leicester.
Defender Jack Stephens remains unavailable as he serves the final game of a suspension.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Steve Wilson: "Chelsea's quick-fire comeback at St Mary's last weekend will have left Antonio Conte confident his Chelsea side can reach a second FA Cup final in succession. Conte will also have been delighted with how his side embraced a tactical tweak to win at Turf Moor on Thursday - ending Burnley's five-match winning streak.

"Southampton are hoping to reach only their third FA Cup final since 1902, but relegation is still looming very large despite their first league point under Mark Hughes at Leicester on Thursday.

"Saints' fans, who experienced the pain of defeat at Wembley in the League Cup final last season, might be bracing themselves for more heartache in the days and weeks ahead."

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte: "We must have great motivation to finish the season as strong as possible.

"Now we have this chance to play at Wembley, we have the possibility to win the game against Southampton and play an important final for the second time in a row. We have to try to do our best."

Southampton manager Mark Hughes: "It's not every season you get the opportunity to get to a major cup final. It's the greatest cup competition in the world in my view.

"In some people's minds maybe the competition has been diminished since the emergence of the Champions League and Premier League, but to be involved in major cup finals is where you make your mark in the game and it's where you need to be.

"It's an opportunity to get to a major final and we are going there to make sure we don't let it just pass by.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Southampton have progressed from four of their previous five FA Cup ties against Chelsea, but lost the most recent encounter 5-1 in the third round in 2012-13.
Chelsea are vying for six straight wins against the Saints in all competitions for the first time.
The last three league meetings have generated 12 goals, including five last weekend in Chelsea's 3-2 win at St. Mary's.

Chelsea

Chelsea have won 11 of their last 14 FA Cup semi-final matches.
They will be appearing at the new Wembley for the 18th time, a record by a club playing at the stadium in a neutral capacity.
The Blues have kept clean sheets in three of their five ties in reaching the semi-finals.
Willian has contributed to 10 goals in 10 FA Cup matches (six goals, four assists) since the start of last season.
Since his debut in English football in January 2013, Olivier Giroud has had a hand in 21 goals in his 25 FA Cup appearances (14 goals, seven assists), more than any other player in the competition over this period.
Willy Caballero and Pedro are the only players to have played in all five Chelsea FA Cup matches this term.
Southampton

Southampton have reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2003. They beat Watford 2-1 in that game but ultimately lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the final.
Saints have lost five of their seven previous visits soon.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43772431

let me balance here n wait patiently

I don show

Chelsea victory

I predict a 2-0 win. This would be a nice prelude to the final against the Manchester Scummies.#ktbffh

Mollyalex u watch football?

Mukina2,put this thread on Front Page nah

aieromon:
Mukina2,put this thread on Front Page nah

I thought it was tommorow

Please someone should assist with streaming link..

aieromon:
Mukina2,put this thread on Front Page nah

But It is an irrelevant match na

xynerise:


But It is an irrelevant match na

Was the Arsenal v West Ham United not an irrelevant match as well?

xynerise:


But It is an irrelevant match na

U dey mad

xynerise:


But It is an irrelevant match na

any team that come our way in the final will be sorry they did....

Blues for life

Man city is the only blue.

All other blues wannabe are nothing but just fakers.

aieromon:


Was the Arsenal v West Ham United not an irrelevant match as well?

That is where abuse of power come to play by Mukina2

Kyase:
any team that come our way in the final will be sorry they did....

u don talk am finish. Redmate hw far?

hope Chelsea win. FA cup belongs to clubs with red jersey 2013–14 FA Cup final: Arsenal
2014–15 FA Cup final: Arsenal
2015–16 FA Cup final: Manchester United
2016-17 FA Cup final: Arsenal

while premier league belongs to clubs with blue jersey
2013-14 Manchester City
2014-15 Chelsea
2015-16 Leicester City
2016-17 Chelsea
2017-18 Manchester City

2017 -18 FA ? likely man u

Chai, na Chelsea thread dry like this??

mikron:
u don talk am finish. Redmate hw far?

menh fine oooo, just want make Chelsea win, so that we go silent them for ever in the finals.

abeg who is watching the match, are Chelsea playing well? cause my money is on them

So Chelsea never score?

Under 2.5

bottlecap:
abeg who is watching the match, are Chelsea playing well? cause my money is on them

zero shot on target so far.

bottlecap:
abeg who is watching the match, are Chelsea playing well? cause my money is on them

yesh they are doing well possession wise, but nothing to show for it yet.
Halfime though.

Chelsea fans how market？

Chelsea is going home

I will blame conte if she lost this match today.

How can conte bench Costa, Hazard, and Willian in a crucial match like this.

Conte is an illiteracy coach and I see Chelsea losting this match today.

Giroud

Baby daddy teaching morata how it's done


Oliver issa gooal

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL




GIROOOOOOOOUD

Zadddddy