Tottenham Hotspur V Chelsea (F.A Cup)

[tottenham28]

Match links: http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?...42&part=sports

Match preview:

Tottenham:
Spurs have no new injury concerns and Harry Redknapp should have his squad fresh and ready to play after rotating his team over the busy Easter weekend. His decision to change things up back-fired as Spurs came out with only 1 point from two games that they would have considered winnable.

The biggest decisions for Redknapp will be in central defence, where Ledley King put in an unconvincing performance earlier in the week. Younes Kaboul went off injured, though the extent of his injury is unclear. William Gallas should return to the starting XI alongside one of the aforementioned two, with Ryan Nelsen on standby.

Rafael van der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor came off the bench against Norwich, but should both be restored to the starting lineup for this game. Scott Parker sat out the whole game and will start at Wembley.

Chelsea:
Branislav Ivanovic has been handed a 3 match ban by the FA for apparently 'striking' Wigan's Shaun Maloney in the build up to Chelsea's second goal against Wigan last week. The ban was upheld despite his appeal, so Jose Bosingwa is likely to deputize.

Ashley Cole is doubtful after missing Chelsea's last 2 games with an ankle sprain, though part of the reason he missed those was probably with a view to resting him for this semi-final.

Otherwise, Roberto Di Matteo faces the usual selection dilemmas, and it will be interesting to see whether he chooses Torres or Drogba up front, and also if Kalou retains his place in the starting line up ahead of Sturridge. With his side facing Barcelona on Wednesday, Di Matteo will have to manage his resources carefully.

Possible starting 11:

Tottenham:
Cudicini, Assou-Ekotto, Kaboul, Gallas, Walker, Bale, Modric, Parker, Lennon, Vaart, Adebayor. (4-4-1-1).

Chelsea:
Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou, Drogba, Mata. (4-3-3).

Match preview video:

[tottenham28]

First and foremost, after the crazy kick off time given. I really hope both sets of fans do not go 'over the top' after swallowing crap loads of beer all day. It would bring a disgraceful conclusion to what should be a great game.
I also hope Riggsy and riise have a great day out, hopefully the former is the only one who comes back smiling though.

As for the game, I see it being a very tight one. I will go with a 1-1 draw and Defoe to nick the winner in extra time.
C.O.Y.S

[oggy4tw]

dont want any of these to win !?

[Tony07]

dont want any of these to win !?

Lets hope none of them do then at a push ermm the spuds cough cough this game not the Cup as the mighty Everton are going to win that

[tottenham28]

Lets hope none of them do then at a push ermm the spuds cough cough this game not the Cup as the mighty Everton are going to win that

I think you may be spot on with Everton, if we can make the final and Liverpool do, I see us as the winners. Can't see us beating Everton though.

[riise94]

Looking forward to this like a hole in the head to be honest. I'm not happy with Tottenham's 100% Wembley record against us and I still haven't got over the League Cup final in 2008. I can't handle another day like that so please Chelsea,forget about bloody Barcelona for now and concentrate on giving it to these Spuds! I couldn't give a flying toss if we lose the final but please don't lose this one.

[Tony07]

I think you may be spot on with Everton, if we can make the final and Liverpool do, I see us as the winners. Can't see us beating Everton though.

I have a feeling in my water that you will beat Chelski and then loose to Everton in the final, Oh and take 4th place

[tottenham28]

Source Official Site

Scott Parker is back in the frame for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley.

The midfielder missed Easter Monday's Premier League clash against Norwich City with tight hamstrings, having played at Sunderland on the Saturday.

"Scott's fine," said Harry. "His hamstrings were tight after game at Sunderland and he felt he might tear a hamstring if he played against Norwich. That was a chance I couldn't take."

Unfortunately, Younes Kaboul and Niko Kranjcar are now sidelined with knee injuries - ruling both out of Wembley.

Younes had to be substituted in the first half against Norwich while Niko suffered his problem in training this week. "They won't be available this weekend and we've one or two knocks as well," added Harry.

Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone remain out as they recover from longer-term ankle injuries.




Falling apart at the seems is not the word, I pray Gallas is fit for this (yes it has got that bad, that I'm rooting for a former Chelsea and goon player who can hardly walk to be fit )! Also in defence I would like to see Nelsen start ( yet another I didn't want to see anywhere near the first 11) but it's a must as King is ready for the old peoples home now. I would be more than happy to see him in a coaching role at the club but nowhere near the starting 11 please Harry.

I think Harry should stick with Cudicini as he has done OK in the cup so far this season and would love to put one up his old club, although I feel that Harry will no doubt pick Friedel as he is his number 1 keeper now.

Team I would like to see:

.........................Cudicini................. ..

...Walker...Gallas...Nelsen...B.A.E

...Lennon...Parker...Modric...Bale

.............................VDV.................. .....

........................Adebayor..................

[riise94]

^^^^^^^ That Spud midfield frightens the crap out of me T28! ^^^^^^^ If we line up with Mikel AND Meireles in the same team at the same time then we will overan. Ramires must play in the centre and not stuck out on the right imo. I'm really gutted Brana is suspended for this one. It means Boswinga or Ferriera up against Bale

The only good thing about tomorrow is I'm starting off really early with a fry-up and pint at 10 AM and I'll be more hammered than Chelsea come 8PM

[Wavy Crockett]

if this would've been any other season........grrrrrrrrrrr

[RiggsYid]

Ok, so I've got a rather unusual view on how we succeed against Chelsea tomorrow and who will be our most influential player....... Can you guess who it is?..... Ok, I'll tell you....... Benoit Assou Ekotto!!! I think he will be really important tomorrow, Chelsea will put a lot of emphasis on stopping Bale from playing, so space will definitely open up for Benny to get down the left side and make things happen, and seeing as Right Back is Chelsea's weakest position defensively, i can see that area being exploited well. So i fully expect Benny to pop up with an assist or an outside chance of a goal! Just a thought anyway, that's what Forums are for, right?!

I reckon Spurs will nick it 1-0 or 2-1 with a left sided player on the score sheet, and i will be there to bask in the glory!! COYS!!!

[Cambspur]

Really looking forward to this game especially as we have a great chance to put our awful semi final performance against Portsmouth to bed!
I still have nightmares about that game!
I'm not one for score predictions, but I really fancy our chances against Liverpool if we get to the final.
COYS!

[RiggsYid]

Bentley is on the bench tomorrow...... Oh dear!!!!

[NY17]

Good omen!

"Last time we won fa cup in 91. We also played a london team in semi,but strangest of all,we got beat 2 1 by norwich in the league game before the semi!"

[tottenham28]

^^^^^^^ That Spud midfield frightens the crap out of me T28! ^^^^^^^ If we line up with Mikel AND Meireles in the same team at the same time then we will overan. Ramires must play in the centre and not stuck out on the right imo. I'm really gutted Brana is suspended for this one. It means Boswinga or Ferriera up against Bale

The only good thing about tomorrow is I'm starting off really early with a fry-up and pint at 10 AM and I'll be more hammered than Chelsea come 8PM

On paper it's stunning mate but they need to be on their game, against Norwich they looked disinterested. My hope is that their eye was on this game and their gonna whip your arse!
I hope you have a cracking day out mate but also pray that you come home bearing lots of sadness...

[scouseman]

Thanks to T28 for the great thread. Top class. I also really hope I also hope Riggsy and riise have a great time at the semi today. Nice to have wiziwig being represented on the biggest sporting occasions Should be a cracking game really looking forward to it. Don't mind who pool face as Anfield South is becoming our second home. We will be waiting for the winner. I hear Harry will be in cabbage (Cappello's chair (cough cough England manager chair today as Spurs have the home dressing room. Could that be a omen???. Really looking forward to the banter here. Let the best team win.

PS if Riise betting on the Grand National is anything to go by this could be another positive omen for spurs winning today. I am sure he said that he bet on Sychronised and West End Rocker. Well poor Sychronised had to be put down (he did not look up for the race before hand and West End Rocker did not finish the race). We all know how legendary Riise is with his betting prowess wink wink.

Also why are horses like Synchronised and According to Pete put down if they have only a broken foot?? Surely they can be given rehabilitation and brought back to full health?? I bet it's the owners of the horses who are too quick to compensate themselves on the insurance rather then spend time on getting the horse back again to full fitness. Seems very wrong in my eyes. I digress.

[RiggsYid]

Buzzin'ell!!!!!!!

[RiggsYid]

Tottenham-Hotspur-v-Chels-001.jpg

[death2bigots]

A classic 3-3,gl both.

[tottenham28]

Come on you Spurrrssssss, you can do it!!!!