What is now more potent, Chelsea's historic passion for the FA Cup, or City's desire to salvage the last available trophy of a disappointing season? Chelsea are appearing in our sixth FA Cup semi-final in eight seasons and Man City their second in three. Despite a spluttering defence of their league title, the Citizens have yet to concede a goal in the FA Cup this season and have hit form in the last few months. Chelsea have won our last 10 FA Cup matches at the old and new Wembley.

Yet Chelsea's recent dominance in this competition - the Blues have not lost in open play since defeat at Barnsley five seasons ago and have won six of the last 10 finals - is the greatest in the competition's history.

The first winners, Wanderers, enjoyed five successes in seven years, but one defence involved a bye all the way to the final.

The Pensioners are unbeaten in seven FA Cup matches at the national stadium since its redevelopment. Our last defeat there was in that 1994 FA Cup final to City's neighbours, Man United.

Chelsea can lay claim to Wembley being our second home: this is our 12th game there since 2007. We have played at Old Trafford and Anfield seven times in league and cup over the same period. We have won eight (including one on pens) and lost three (one on pens).

City's three games at the new Wembley have seen two FA Cup wins (against Man United and Stoke) and a defeat to Man U in the Community Shield, all in 2011.

A child born into a Blues-supporting household in 1905 would have witnessed three semi-finals by the time they reached the age of 21, while a 1970 babe would have enjoyed just four before reaching maturity.

How fortunate for the Chelsea child born in spring 1991. By the time they were 21 they seen the Blues reach no fewer than 25 semi-final matches, the majority successfully navigated through to the final.

There is something else of lesser significance about the second Sunday in April. Don't worry, you haven't forgotten Mothers' Day, it's just that the FA's suspension deadline passes. After this weekend 10 accumulated bookings no longer results in a two-match ban. David Luiz has received nine cautions so far.

If the scores are level after 90 minutes on Sunday, 30 minutes extra time will be played. If there is still no winner the tie will be decided on penalties.

Chelsea have won three of our last five penalty shoot-outs, the last being at the Allianz Arena in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Manchester City have not faced a penalty shoot-out since March 2009, when they won 4-3 against Aalborg in the UEFA Cup. Since the turn of the century they have only been involved in four, winning two and losing two.

The other semi-final is between Championship Millwall and relegation-threatened Wigan. The Latics, who only joined the Football League in 1978, have never been beyond the quarter-finals in the competition before. Their south London opponents reached the final in 2004 under player-manager Dennis Wise, who had previously lifted the trophy as Chelsea skipper; Man United ran out 3-0 winners.

Tottenham do not play this weekend as they were due to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.


- Match preview by chelseafc.com