Topic: FA Cup Semis: Chelsea v Tottenham 5.15PM | Arsenal v Man. City Sunday 3PM

[The Final Third]

Chelsea:  Courtois; Azpilicueta (c), David Luiz, Ake; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Willian, Batshuayi, Pedro
      Subs: Begovic, Zouma, Terry, Chalobah, Fabregas, Hazard and Diego Costa

Tottenham: Lloris (c), Trippier, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Wanyama, Dembele, Son, Eriksen, Dele, Kane
             Subs: Lopez, Davies, Walker, Wimmer, Sissoko, Nkoudou, Janssen


Referee: Martin Atkinson

[Gerry Attrick]

Vertonghen at LB for Spurs?

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

Vertonghen at LB for Spurs?

yeah looks like it

[Gerry Attrick]

yeah looks like it

Not sure that's the wisest decision ever.

[RMG]

Not sure what Conte is thinking

[dave 5516]

This today?

[Lycan]

Yes mate.

17.15 kickoff

[RMG]

Live on BBC1

[dave 5516]

Yes mate.

As you can tell I'm not a football fan.

[Dim Glas]

Not sure what Conte is thinking

all eggs in premier league basket I guess, this is secondary now. 

I reckoned spurs would win anyway even before Conte deciding to make their job easier by leaving his 2 best players on the bench.

[dave 5516]

Live on BBC1

Live on a Russian Sopcast...English comms.....ugh, no!!

[Gerry Attrick]

all eggs in premier league basket I guess, this is secondary now. 

I reckoned spurs would win anyway even before Conte deciding to make their job easier by leaving his 2 best players on the bench.

As I said in the Premier League fixtures thread though, if they could win today they'd land a crippling psychological blow to Spurs in the title race.

[jillcwhomever]

As I said in the Premier League fixtures thread though, if they could win today they'd land a crippling psychological blow to Spurs in the title race.

Totally agree with this comment, think Conte has made an error here.

[Gerry Attrick]

Totally agree with this comment, think Conte has made an error here.

Could end up being a genius move though. What kind of message does it send to Spurs if Chelsea beat them with their 2 best attacking players on the bench? This game is must win for Spurs now I'd say.

[Samie]

As you can tell I'm not a football fan.

But you have the belly of a football Dave.

[ggcc14]

As I said in the Premier League fixtures thread though, if they could win today they'd land a crippling psychological blow to Spurs in the title race.

And when they lose.. they suddenly don't appear all that great and could end the season trophyless. Costa and Hazard were invisible vs Man Utd to be fair to Conte.

[gerrardisgod]

Only Utd last week and Tottenham have looked comfortable against Chelsea this season, apparently 

[ggcc14]

Could end up being a genius move though. What kind of message does it send to Spurs if Chelsea beat them with their 2 best attacking players on the bench? This game is must win for Spurs now I'd say.

It's just about reaching the FA cup final, not proving some point about 2 players on the bench. Both sides are still strong and if anything that will give Spurs a boost.

I think Chelsea AET.

[Gerry Attrick]

And when they lose.. they suddenly don't appear all that great and could end the season trophyless. Costa and Hazard were invisible vs Man Utd to be fair to Conte.

Nah, they'll still win the league. Their fixtures are very easy, especially their home games.

[ggcc14]

Nah, they'll still win the league. Their fixtures are very easy, especially their home games.

Southampton, Everton and West Brom could all put a dent in that. It is a big ask but it is still plausible.

[Gerry Attrick]

Southampton, Everton and West Brom could all put a dent in that.

They can draw 2 of these games and still win the league. Tottenham have to play Arsenal and Man Utd and have a bastard of a fixture away at Crystal Palace after a cup semi-final. I honestly don't think Spurs will finish within 5 points of them.

[Lycan]

As you can tell I'm not a football fan.

You follow the mighty reds though don't you Dave?

[TheShanklyGates]

Nice montage of Spurs fucking it up time after time this

[dave 5516]

But you have the belly of a football Dave.

Oh you little bitch.

I've done close 400 miles on my bike this week...got weighed earlier...put weight on. Fuckin games not straight, la.

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

In fairness Costa was absolutely dire against Utd and hasn't been that good recently so benching him and giving Batshauyi a chance might be a good move. Benching Hazard on the other hand ...

[jillcwhomever]

Could end up being a genius move though. What kind of message does it send to Spurs if Chelsea beat them with their 2 best attacking players on the bench? This game is must win for Spurs now I'd say.

Depends entirely on what happens i suppose. But lets face it neither of these teams has Europe to worry about. Its not like they have half a season still to play, so I don't really get the sudden change in line-ups. You are best putting your strongest team out when you go toe to toe with your nearest rival.

[dave 5516]

You follow the mighty reds though don't you Dave?

Yeah, I'm a Libpool supporter..been at since I was 3...not a football fan tho...no other club matters as far as I'm concerned....they're insignificant to me.

I used to be. In the early to late 90's my mates and I would spend a few days in Europe watching the pick of the two games each week..we followed Dortmund quite a lot...when Lambert played for them...now tho...I'd rather ride my bike...or watch live cycling.

[Caligula?]

Not sure what Conte is thinking

Perhaps what Klopp and Mourinho were thinking against Stoke and Chelsea respectively. Keep it tight in the first half with anything more than that a bonus, and unleash your best players against a tiring opponent in the second half.

Alternatively he could be majorly ticked off at the performance they put in vs United and this is a form of punishmemt to get their act together.

[jillcwhomever]

Southampton, Everton and West Brom could all put a dent in that. It is a big ask but it is still plausible.

Everton didn't manage a shot at West Ham all game today apparantly, so they'll have to sharpen up. 

[RK7]

Spurs have come a long way under Pochittino but this is a huge test. He says they are big club...they'll need to prove that and win games like today and trophies.

[ggcc14]

No Cahill either? Chelsea are f**ked.. Biggest game of Ake's career, lets see how he handles it.

[Statto Red]

Think that Club Wembley deal is up in the summer, so hopefully no more Semis at Wembley.

[smicer07]

Reckon Spurs won't turn up.

[Samie]

Oh you little bitch.

I've done close 400 miles on my bike this week...got weighed earlier...put weight on. Fuckin games not straight, la.

Dave you fucker the decimal point is missing. I think you mean 4.00 miles this week.

[cdav]

Only Utd last week and Tottenham have looked comfortable against Chelsea this season, apparently 

Ridiculous isn't it!

Spurs also have the best keeper, defender, striker and one of the best young players in the world- underperforming if they don't win the double this season surely?

Hope they kick lumps out of each other to be honest

[swoopy]

Plastic flags out in force again.

[dave 5516]

Dave you fucker the decimal point is missing. I think you mean 4.00 miles this week.

I had pleurisy for close to 10 weeks...I' was turking worse than a smackhead for me bike.

[Lycan]

Yeah, I'm a Libpool supporter..been at since I was 3...not a football fan tho...no other club matters as far as I'm concerned....they're insignificant to me.

I used to be. In the early to late 90's my mates and I would spend a few days in Europe watching the pick of the two games each week..we followed Dortmund quite a lot...when Lambert played for them...now tho...I'd rather ride my bike...or watch live cycling.

That's fair enough. I don't watch as much football as I used to either mate.

[gerrardisgod]

FFS...Danny Murphy.

Don't really have a great selection of co-comms the Beeb.

[Henry Gale]

I had pleurisy for close to 10 weeks...I' was turking worse than a smackhead for me bike.

Bloody hell. Hope you're feeling better mate.