Chelsea’s fifth round FA Cup win over Wolves was not one for the ages. Antonio Conte’s side faced a tough battle but it was one with which they dealt and, in the end were comfortable winners. Whilst their win in the last round will not be making any DVDs soon, their quarter-final tie could be quite the clash.
With former manager Jose Mourinho and his Manchester United side having beaten another Championship side in Blackburn Rovers on Sunday afternoon, the Blues will now face them at Stamford Bridge for the second side this season.
Their meeting in west London in the Premier League was dominated in the build-up by Jose Mourinho’s return to the Bridge for the first time since being sacked midway through last season, meaning it was quite a shock to the system when Antonio Conte’s men hit their former boss for four on the day, without any return from the visitors.
While, on paper, then it may look a formality for the next round, the Red Devils have gone through somewhat of a transformation since that loss in October, having not lost a single Premier League game, with their only defeat coming in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final at Hull, which still wasn’t enough to lose the tie.
Therefore, with both managers beginning to go strong with their selections in the cup, the side that Conte’s men will face at the Bridge later this month will be vastly different to that which left with their tails between their legs earlier this season.
Since their victory in October, Chelsea have also discovered a couple of things, namely that they are not invincible. They were held at Burnley last weekend, United are yet to go there, and were beaten by Tottenham early in the New Year at White Hart Lane.
There are weaknesses in the side, Jose Mourinho will just have to find them. Regardless of the soft spots in either side, it will be a clash of, going into the draw, the two favourites to lift the trophy, something has to give.
Their tie against struggling Championship opposition was one kind of test for Antonio Conte’s men. However, with the chance for United to avenge their earlier defeat in London the clash presents a marker of his progress for Mourinho, the tie against United could be a real chance to kick on for the Blues.
Beat Manchester United in the quarter-final and no right minded football fan would bet against them to go all the way and take a league and cup double in Conte’s maiden season in English football and if you are into betting on the Blues’ chances then why not take advantage of the fine service provided by book-bonus-code.co.uk to place your wager.
Therefore, while the tie presents one for the scrapbooks, it can also have a very real impact on the coming months of football.