The old Easter tradition of games on Saturday and Monday is revived for these two top-flight sides alone. Manchester United and the holders, Chelsea, have had just 48 hours to prepare for this huge FA Cup quarter-final replay and a second chance to turf the Mancunians out of both domestic knockouts. It is our fourth meeting of the season, with one more to come at Old Trafford on 4 May. The Blues have lost only two of the last 14 games against Man United at Stamford Bridge in all competitions.

The two clubs are the undisputed heavyweights of the top-flight's last decade. Excluding the Community Shield we have each scooped 10 trophies. No other contender comes close to that tally.

The defending champions have the edge in this competition, however, winning four of the last six finals; it is nine years since Man United lifted the FA Cup. Chelsea were actually London's first FA Cup finalists from the Football League, in 1915 - played at Old Trafford.

The two clubs had conflicting fortunes in the league this weekend. Man United fielded a strong side and laboured to victory via a deflected goal (while hastening the departure of manager Martin O'Neill from Sunderland, our visitors on Sunday). In contrast the European champions lined up with seven changes and rarely looked likely to take all three points.

As a result Rafael Benitez lies 22 points adrift of his old adversary, Sir Alex Ferguson, whose team have accrued an impressive 77. The Scot has publicly targeted Chelsea's proud, record 2004/05 Premier League points total of 95 and the Mancunians have 24 points to play for after the weekend's action.

No doubt both bosses had some consideration for Monday's massive match and the reduced recovery time. At least United, turfed out of Europe by Real and Jose Mourinho (whose team set that points record), have the luxury of a clear schedule afterwards until the weekend, whereas the Pensioners are back in action as early as Thursday against Rubin Kazan.

David De Gea's outstretched boot is the only reason the game has been shoehorned in. Had the Spanish keeper not twizzled his leg to clear Juan Mata's shot the Blues would have completed a remarkable turnaround.

Caught cold in the first 15 minutes at Old Trafford, inspired by Eden Hazard, Mata and Oscar, and with Mikel tightening the belt, Chelsea came back to dominate the hosts.

Never the less, the Blues surely cannot afford another insipid start in this game nor any repeat of the 1999 quarter-final clash. Having battled magnificently in the first quarter-final match in Manchester despite Roberto Di Matteo's first-half dismissal, the Blues blew chance after chance in the replay at the Bridge - one Dennis Wise shot beat Peter Schmeichel but was blocked by Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo, who had tumbled in the box.

Man United's effectiveness and Dwight Yorke's efficiency made it a 0-2 defeat for Gianluca Vialli's side. The less said about the 3-5 game of the previous January, the better.

The reward for the winners is a date at Wembley with Manchester City on 14 April that, in Chelsea's case, would necessitate the rescheduling of the top-four showdown with Tottenham.

If the scores in this game are level after 90 minutes, 30 minutes extra time will be played. If there is still no winner the tie will be decided on penalties. Many supporters will hope that does not happen so they can watch the Blues' U19s contest the NextGen final at 5pm on Eurosport 2 and HD, with an 8pm showing on Chelsea TV.

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

Manchester Utd have lost their last two penalty shoot-outs, to Chelsea in the Community Shield and Everton in the FA Cup semi-final in 2009.

Most FA Cup wins: Man Utd 11, Arsenal 10, Tottenham 8, Aston Villa 7, Chelsea 7, Liverpool 7, Blackburn 6, Newcastle 6, Everton 5, Man City 5, The Wanderers 5, WBA 5, Bolton 4, Sheffield Utd 4, Wolves 4, Sheffield Wed 3, West Ham 3.

Our overall cup record against the Red Devils in open play is four wins, four draws and 12 defeats.


- Match preview by chelseafc.com