PICK OF THE SPORT: Four teams remain but only two will book their spot in the FA Cup final and you don’t want to miss these deciding matches, writes Dylan Bettencourt.
The teams to play in the FA Cup final will be decided this weekend as the semi-finals take centre stage.
The first semi-final will see Manchester City take on Chelsea as Pep Guardiola looks to defend his title.
After being knocked out of the Uefa Champions League earlier in the week, Guardiola and his players will be desperate for victory at Wembley on Saturday.
Chelsea on the other hand, in a good run of form, will be hoping to use the opportunity to save what has been a disappointing season so far.
The Blues will be confident going into the fixture, coming off the back of a 6-0 win over Everton on Monday and watching Manchester City go all the way to penalties against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
On Sunday, Manchester United will take on Coventry City, already knowing what awaits them in the final.
The Red Devils go into the fixture as overwhelming favourites against a side who find themselves sixth in the second division of English football.
Stranger things have happened, but United will feel a place in the final is all but secure when they take to the field on Sunday.
United, like Chelsea, will feel that winning the FA Cup could save what has been another poor season for the club.
Manchester City face Chelsea at 6.15pm on Saturday.
Manchester United face Coventry City at 4.30pm on Sunday.
Both games will be live on DStv channel 203.
➤ Sticking with football, Mamelodi Sundowns also find themselves in the first leg of a semi-final when they face Tunisian club Esperance on Saturday in a CAF Champions League match.
The Brazilians will travel to North Africa for the game that kicks off at 9pm.
Sundowns are not in the best form but will be hoping their players rise to the occasion to get an advantage before the second leg.
The semi-final will be live on DStv channel 202.
➤ Formula 1 action continues this weekend as the sport returns to China for the first time in five years.
It is also the first Sprint race weekend of the season, with the shorter version of the race taking place at 5am on Saturday.
The main race takes place on Sunday at 9am and will be live on DStv channel 215.
➤ It’s D-day for Jake White’s gamble this weekend. He fielded a poor Bulls team against Northampton Saints last week, apparently to rest the “A” team for this weekend’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against Munster at Loftus Versveld.
If the Bulls win, the gamble will have worked, but if they lose, as they very well might against a tough Munster team, White will have egg on his face.
Life doesn’t get any easier for the Emirates Lions when they face Leinster at Ellis Park. The Lions have been criticised for playing hot and cold, but this weekend they will have to be super hot if they are to beat top-of-the-log Leinster.
Expect the Cape Town crowd to carry the Stormers to victory against the Ospreys at the DHL Stadium in Green Point. The Stormers can be inconsistent, but expect them to be up for it this weekend.
The Sharks played good rugby for most of their match against Edinburgh in Durban last week, but it was a flawed performance. This week will be a much tougher test when they go to Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow. Are the Sharks back to their best? We’ll find out on Friday.
Glasgow Warriors vs Hollywoodbets Sharks, Friday at 8.35pm
Emirates Lions vs Leinster, Saturday at 3pm
Vodacom Bulls vs Munster, Saturday at 5pm
DHL Stormers vs Ospreys, Saturday at 7.15pm
All matches are live on DStv channels 201 and 211.
Pictured above: Manchester City.
Image source: Manchester City/X
