Chelsea seek to derail City’s bid

Liverpool make final push for top-four place in English Premier League

Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea potentially have two chances to torpedo Manchester City’s bid for an unprecedented quadruple — but can end the chase as early as today, when the two sides clash in an FA Cup semi-final.

In-form Chelsea will fancy their chances at Wembley in a match that could serve as a dress rehearsal for the Champions League final.

Leicester take on Southampton in front of returning fans in the other semi, while there is a clutch of Premier League matches that will influence the outcome of the top-four race and the relegation battle.

Here are some of the main talking points ahead of the weekend action in the FA Cup and Premier League.

Quadruple chase faces stiff Tuchel test

Pep Guardiola said after Wednesday’s victory against Borussia Dortmund that sealed their place in the Champions League semifinals that he and his players would be treated for their efforts. The Catalan manager will hope for another reason to celebrate at Wembley this weekend but will be wary after 10-man Leeds handed them a rare league defeat last week. Chelsea, revitalised since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in January, will pose a formidable threat to City and their dreams of winning four trophies.

The club have suffered just two defeats under the German — including the 1-0 loss to Porto in the second leg of this week’s Champions League quarter-final — and are in the battle for a top-four place as well as silverware.

Now or never for Liverpool

Liverpool are desperate to return to the Champions League next season after their midweek defeat in the quarter-finals against Real Madrid.

Klopp’s men, in sixth place in the Premier League, are three points behind fourthplaced West Ham and two points behind Chelsea. Leicester, in third, look vulnerable after successive defeats.

“I would say I am naturally confident, but that doesn’t mean we will end up there,” said Klopp, referring to Liverpool’s top-four hopes. “We just can read the table, we know the points, we know the situation and stuff like this.”