19 March 2023 , 09:00
404
0
The FA Cup semi-final draw takes place today, as six teams scrap it out in a battle to fill the remaining three spaces and join Manchester City at Wembley.
Pep Guardiola's men made it through to the final four on Saturday, hammering Burnley 6-0 to render Vincent Kompany's return to the Etihad Stadium a frankly miserable one. Erling Haaland bagged another sensational hat-trick, his sixth of the season, while Argentine ace Julian Alvarez notched two goals and young substitute Cole Palmer also managed to get on the scoresheet.
Now it's the turn of the three other quarter-final clashes to take centre stage amid today's draw for the semis. First up, Blackburn Rovers travel to face fellow Championship outfit Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, a noon kick-off. Shortly after, League Two side Grimsby Town will hope to continue their fairytale run by beating one of the Premier League's most in-form teams, Brighton.
And finally, Manchester United take on Fulham at Old Trafford in the 4:30pm kick-off. Erik ten Hag's resurgent Red Devils have already been to Wembley once this term and made it a memorable trip by winning the other top-level domestic trophy, the Carabao Cup, as they pulled off a comfortable 2-0 victory over Newcastle.
When is the FA Cup semi-final draw?
The draw for the FA Cup semi-finals will take place live on BBC One following the conclusion of Brighton's clash with Grimsby.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
That game is a 2:15pm kick-off, meaning the earliest we can expect the draw is around 4:15pm.
Which number balls will the teams be?
The ball numbers will be as follows.
- Manchester City
- Manchester United or Fulham
- Brighton or Grimsby Town
- Sheffield United or Blackburn Rovers
When do the semi-finals take place?
Both FA Cup semi-finals are set to be held at Wembley Stadium across the weekend of Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23.
Kick-off times will be confirmed in due course.
Have your say! Who'll win this season's FA Cup? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola both want to get their hands on the FA Cup (Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)Following Saturday's resounding win at home to Burnley, City are the odds-on favourites to win the competition for the second time under boss Guardiola. However, the Citizens will have to balance the competition with two others, as they battle Arsenal for the Premier League title and face German giants Bayern Munich over two legs in their Champions League quarter-final tie.
"I think Arsenal are going to drop very few points so we have win almost all the games in the Premier League," Guardiola admitted after watching his team swat Burnley aside. "We will play a semi-final at Wembley again and we know the Champions League opponents, it's a great pleasure to play against Bayern Munich. To be alive in three competitions, the important ones, is so good."