FA Cup

The first round of the 2019 FA Cup kicks off on Friday, when National League South side Dulwich Hamlet face League Two's Carlisle United at Champion Hill.

Of the 78 teams in first-round action, 31 are from outside the English Football League. Isthmian League North Division club Maldon & Tiptree take on League Two's Leyton Orient, while National League side Harrogate Town host 2008 winners Portsmouth.

Hayes & Yeading United are another team dreaming of a cup upset, as they head to Oxford United after securing their place in the first-round proper by beating Poole Town in a replay.

The lowest-ranked team left in the competition are Chichester United, who received a bye straight into the second round. They were the last team left in the hat and progress because Bury were removed from the draw following their expulsion from the Football League. 

FA Cup Fixtures and Odds

Friday, November 8

Dulwich Hamlet 16-5, Draw 3-1, Carlisle United 6-7, 7:55 p.m. GMT/2:55 p.m ET

Saturday, November 9 (all kick-off times 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET unless stated)

Sunderland 5-8, Draw 31-10, Gillingham 26-5, 1 p.m. GMT/8 a.m ET

AFC Wimbledon 44-17, Draw 27-10, Doncaster Rovers 11-10

Accrington Stanley 17-12, Draw 13-5, Crewe Alexandra 135-67

Blackpool 7-15, Draw 4-1, Morecambe 67-10

Bolton Wanderers 9-5, Draw 37-15, Plymouth Argyle 31-20

Cambridge United 133-67, Draw 12-5, Exeter City 6-4

Carshalton Athletic 35-16, Draw 141-50, Boston United 5-4

Cheltenham Town 20-11, Draw 13-5, Swindon Town 53-35

Colchester United 19-8, Draw 32-13, Coventry City 13-10

Crawley Town 16-11, Draw 29-11, Scunthorpe United 7-4

Ebbsfleet United 21-10, Draw 13-5, Notts County 13-10

Forest Green Rovers 2-5, Draw 4-1, Billericay Town 7-1

Grimsby Town 18-11, Draw 68-29, Newport County 11-6

Ipswich Town 10-11, Draw 36-13, Lincoln City 10-3

Maidenhead United 13-2, Draw 19-5, Rotherham United 23-50

Maidstone United 16-5, Draw 14-5, Torquay United 10-11

Mansfield Town 11-25, Draw 21-5, Chorley 13-2

Milton Keynes Dons 23-20, Draw 59-25, Port Vale 11-4

Nantwich Town 41-10, Draw 10-3, AFC Fylde 4-6

Oxford City 17-4, Draw 3-1, Solihull Moors 69-100

Salford City 16-5, Draw 34-13 Burton Albion 1-1

Shrewsbury Town vs. Bradford City

Stevenage 13-11, Draw 119-50, Peterborough United 4-6

Stourbridge 10-3, Draw 3-1, Eastleigh 11-13

Tranmere Rovers 35-16, Draw 47-20, Wycombe Wanderers 7-5

Walsall 41-100, Draw 4-1, Darlington 17-2

Yeovil Town 30-29, Draw 13-5, Hartlepool United 37-13

Sunday, November 10 (all kick-off times 12:45 p.m. GMT/7:45 a.m. ET unless stated)

Dover Athletic 28-15, Draw 11-4, Southend United 52-35, 12 p.m. GMT/7 a.m ET

Barnet 18-5, Draw 3-1, Fleetwood Town 14-19

Bristol Rovers 4-6, Draw 16-5, Bromley 9-2

Chippenham Town 4-1, Draw 17-5, Northampton Town 4-6

Gateshead 7-2, Draw 3-1, Oldham Athletic 8-9

Leyton Orient 4-17, Draw 6-1, Maldon & Tiptree 13-1

Macclesfield Town 1-2, Draw 15-4, Kingstonian 6-1

Wrexham 23-10, Draw 5-2, Rochdale 17-13

York City 13-19, Draw 16-5, Altrincham 9-2

Hayes & Yeading 13-1, Draw 6-1, Oxford United 5-18

Monday, November 11

Harrogate Town 9-2, Draw 13-4, Portsmouth 8-13, 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m

Odds via Oddschecker.

FA Cup TV Schedule

The 2019 FA Cup is being broadcast by BBC Sport and BT Sport. Here is a look at the fixtures selected for live television coverage:

These matches are available to live-stream via the BBC iPlayer and through the BT Sport App. Highlights of all matches will also be available through the BBC Sport website.

FA Cup Preview and Predictions

The FA Cup is renowned for shocks, and the first round is no exception. This is the point when League One and Two teams enter the competition and come up against non-league sides dreaming of famous cup runs.

Dulwich Hamlet are up first and will be aiming for a place in the second round when they take on a Carlisle United side two leagues above them.

Here's a look at their journey to the first round:

Striker Adeoye Yusuf told BBC Sport his team "want to make history" and has described Friday's encounter as "a one-off game—a free-hit."

Manager Gavin Rose told Hugo Greenhalgh at the club's official website that "it's not a day for caution" and vowed his team will go for the win.

The Hamlet are on their best cup run in 21 years but have not won a league match since August. Yet Carlisle are not in great form, either, with just two wins from their past eight. The visitors go into the game as favourites to progress and will be expected to end the Hamlet's dreams, but the hosts have nothing to lose, and an early shock should not be ruled out.

Another team eyeing a giant-killing are in-form Bromley. Neil Smith's side are top of the National League and take on League One's Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium. The Ravens will take over 500 supporters to Bristol and have paid for fans' coach travel:

Bromley striker Michael Cheek has 10 league and cup goals to his name this season and will look to trouble a Rovers team in ninth place in the League One table.

Sol Campbell's Southend United also have a tricky first-round tie at Dover Athletic. The former Arsenal defender took charge of the club in October and has yet to oversee a victory after six games. The Shrimpers boss is hoping the tournament can provide a distraction for his team:

Dover Athletic are 12th in the National League but have taken four points from their past two games and will look to top scorer Inih Effiong, with nine league goals this season, for inspiration.

Non-league side Haringey Borough walked off their home pitch in their FA Cup tie with Yeovil Town on Saturday after manager Tom Loizou said some away supporters subjected goalkeeper Valery Douglas Pajetat to racist abuse.

Haringey provided updates on the situation via their Twitter account:

Loizou spoke to BBC 5 Live Sport's Mark Chapman after the match was abandoned:

The coach said Pajetat was spat at and had a bottle thrown at him.

Loizou added that he didn't care if the Football Association ejected the club from the competition as a result of the abandonment.

The FA said it was looking into the matter:

Loizou's counterpart, Yeovil manager Darren Sarll, supported the decision to leave the pitch and said "no one should feel discriminated against when they come to play football":

Yeovil shared footage of the teams returning to the pitch in solidarity:

In a statement, the Glovers confirmed their cooperation with the investigation into the allegations of racist abuse.

Defender Coby Rowe, who Loizou also said was racially abused, took to Twitter after the match:

England international Tyrone Mings offered his support to Haringey, as did anti-discriminatory organisation Kick It Out:

Mings played in the 2020 Euro qualifier on Monday that was stopped twice when sections of Bulgaria fans direct racist abuse toward members of the Three Lions side.

Premier League players including Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Tammy Abraham and Kurt Zouma have been targeted with racist abuse on social media this season.

In July, Chelsea banned a supporter from Stamford Bridge for life after he racially abused Manchester City star Raheem Sterling last year, and they temporarily banned five more supporters for using abusive language against him.

Manchester City became the first English club to secure a men's domestic treble after beating Watford 6-0 in the 2019 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus each bagged a brace, along with goals from David Silva and substitute Kevin De Bruyne, as City added the trophy to the Premier League title and Carabao Cup claimed earlier this season.

Treble Cements City as Premier League's Greatest Team

If there was still a debate to be had about who is the greatest team of the Premier League era, City ended it the right way by winning the FA Cup to secure a first domestic treble.

Victory at Wembley completes an awesome two-season run of dominance good enough to see City surpass the achievements and legacy of the two main contenders for the tag of Premier League's greatest.

For my money, those are Arsenal's "Invincibles," winners of the league crown in 2003/04 without losing a game. Then there are Manchester United's treble winners of 1998/99, who took home the league title, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League trophy.

So why do City get the nod over both? Well, for one thing, scooping three domestic trophies in a single season isn't the only unique achievement manager Pep Guardiola's team can lay claim to.

Pretty much the same squad became the first team to win the title with 100 points. Following the "Centurions" campaign with a three-trophy haul is one giant exclamation point on this team's greatness.

Most great teams have one defining moment to remember their era by. City have two.

By winning retaining the title this season, City also have longevity. It's not something the unbeaten Gunners can lay claim to since the following campaign ended in a second-place finish for Arsene Wenger's men, who still lifted the FA Cup at United's expense.

By then, weakness had already started to appear in Wenger's grand design. A vulnerability defending set-pieces, along with the physical decline of key players such as Robert Pires, Sol Campbell and Dennis Bergkamp, meant the writing appeared on the wall pretty quickly for the "Invincibles."

United's treble vintage did keep winning, retaining the league crown in 1999/00 by a then-record 18 points, a gap better by Guardiola's men in 2018. The Red Devils were champions again in 2000/01, but the lack of continued cup success, as well as the prolonged difficulty to replace Peter Schmeichel in goal, make City's case stronger.

City have all the things needed to be crowned greatest ever. Resilience is in no short supply, as evidenced by seeing off Liverpool in an intense title race.

Results are also there, thanks to accumulating a staggering 198 points over consecutive seasons in the self-styled "toughest league in the world."

When it comes to putting silverware on the table, Guardiola has two titles, as many Carabao Cups and now the FA Cup as fruits of his labour.

He also has a squad superior in strength in depth to those of Arsenal and United's glory years. It spoke volumes about the quality at Guardiola's disposal that he felt comfortable leaving 32-goal striker Aguero on the bench for a final.

Then again, it's not such a leap of faith when fully fledged Brazil international Jesus is the next man up.

Nor was Guardiola taking a gamble by keeping Riyad Mahrez in the starting XI. The former Leicester City winger has played sparingly since arriving in a transfer worth £60 million last summer, but he emerged from obscurity to score and assist in the 4-1 title-deciding win over Brighton & Hove Albion last Sunday.

Mahrez kept his place for Wembley and showed why during a dazzling 54-minute cameo before he made way for De Bruyne.

Not needing a playmaker as cultured as De Bruyne for the majority of the match—or the season, for that matter—since injuries have derailed his playing time, underlines City's frightening depth.

De Bruyne hasn't been the only key figure missing with crucial holding midfielder Fernandinho missing out in the final due to a lingering knee problem. Once considered vital to the City machine, the Citizens have not missed a beat in Fernandinho's absence, thanks to Ilkay Gundogan, a midfielder who would walk into the first XI of any of City's top-six rivals.

So would Leroy Sane, the mercurial attacker who eventually came off the bench in the second half at Wembley. The German has been overlooked at times this season amid Guardiola's embarrassment of riches.

While City can call on stars to keep things fresh, Arsenal's 2003/04 vintage had to turn to the likes of Pascal Cygan, Jeremie Alliadiere and David Bentley. Meanwhile, United's 1999 midfield quarter of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and David Beckham was a force, but depth was scant when Nicky Butt and Jesper Blomqvist were needed.

City are deeper and more talented than Arsenal and United's best-ever Premier League offerings. They have also put more wins, points and trophies on the table.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said the club have spent a year-and-a-half trying to get Leroy Sane to agree a new contract.

After a breakthrough 2017-18 campaign, Sane has struggled to maintain a regular spot in Guardiola's all-conquering outfit this season, with Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling often on the flanks. As a result, there has been some speculation regarding his future.

Ahead of City's FA Cup final with Watford on Saturday, Guardiola was asked about the 23-year-old's season of ups and downs as well as his long-term future, per James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph:

"With Leroy we are one and a half years trying to sign his [new] contract. We want him. If you want to extend his contract, it's because you want him. You're not going to extend his contract because you don't want him. It's like [Ilkay] Gundogan, for example—it's the same case.

"Yeah [Sane has not started a lot] because he's competing with Sterling and Bernardo Silva. It's not easy. If you want to play in for competitions for the quadruple we need Leroy, Sterling, Riyad [Mahrez], Bernardo [Silva].

"We can't compete for the quadruple with just two wingers. They have to fight each other and play the best as possible to convince me to put them in the line up."

Here is more from Guardiola:

Per Ducker, City are said to be "hopeful" that Sane and Gundogan sign new contracts, although it's noted the young winger is the "biggest concern."

It was reported by Duncan Castles of the Daily Record that Bayern Munich had approached Manchester City with a view to signing the Germany international.

While Sane hasn't been a surefire starter for City this season, he has been productive when he has played in his 46 appearances. In terms of goals and assists, Sane and his fellow winger Sterling have both been exceptional:

Even so, Guardiola clearly has some reservations about Sane. The left-sided winger takes more risks on the ball than Sterling, and while that can result in some spectacular segments of play when his ideas come off, he can also lose possession cheaply at times.

During City's recent 1-0 win over Leicester City, Guardiola was noticeably furious with Sane after he was introduced into the game from the bench:

After City's 2-0 win over Manchester United in April, the manager said he demands a lot from Sane:

Guardiola's coaching has helped the development of so many attackers in recent years. While there are still rough edges in Sane's game, the manner in which he's progressed over the last two seasons has been exceptional.

With his current deal set to expire in 2021, City aren't under huge pressure to get Sane's contract extended yet. However, if the German hasn't committed his future to the club before 2020, speculation will undoubtedly ramp up regarding a possible departure.

Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City will not pursue a move for Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann this summer as they "can't afford him." 

The French forward announced earlier this week that he will leave Atleti this summer, and it is widely expected Barcelona will pay his release clause of €120 million (£105 million), per BBC Sport.

Reports subsequently emerged, though, that City would challenge Barca for Griezmann's signature, as the Guardian's Jacob Steinberg highlighted.

But, speaking ahead of City's FA Cup final against Watford, Guardiola rubbished the rumours:

He also denied any prospect that he may move to Juventus following Friday's announcement that current Old Lady boss Massimiliano Allegri will leave at the end of the season:

City can claim an unprecedented domestic treble if they beat the Hornets at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

The Sky Blues are in phenomenal form after finishing the Premier League campaign with 14 consecutive victories.

Meanwhile, City are on a run of 10 consecutive wins against Watford.

They are deservedly strong favourites to triumph in football's oldest competition, and they could welcome back Fernandinho to the side, but Benjamin Mendy is not available:

Guardiola does not have an FA Cup trophy in his enviable haul of silverware as City last won the tournament back in 2010-11.

Should City play to their potential, that will no longer be the case come Saturday evening.

The Premier League champions will be wary of complacency. Watford are a strong side, and City have been upset before in the FA Cup final, such as when they lost to Wigan Athletic in 2012-13.

Manchester City will attempt to complete a domestic treble as they meet Watford in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola's men would become the first side to complete a full scoop of English trophies after retaining the Premier League and winning the Carabao Cup.

Watford have pieced together one of their most impressive campaigns in their history, and an FA Cup victory would represent a first after previously finishing runners-up in 1983-84.

Javi Gracia has watched his team grow over the season but three consecutive defeats at the conclusion of the Premier League was a disappointing end for the Hornets.

Date: Saturday, May 18

Time: 5 p.m. (BST), 12 p.m. (ET)

TV: BBC One, BT Sport 2 (UK); ESPN (U.S.)

Stream: BBC iPlayer, BT Sport, ESPN+

Odds: City 1-4, Watford 14-1, draw 6-1 (per Oddschecker)

Preview

Liverpool chased City until the final day for the Premier League trophy and now the pressure is off Guardiola and his world-class team.

The English champions missed their objective of UEFA Champions League glory but they have proven their standing in world football with a fantastic end to the season.

An astonishing 21 victories in their final 22 games in all competitions guaranteed a successful conclusion to proceedings.

However, City need one more win to complete an English treble that has never been done before, also providing the Etihad Stadium club their first league and cup double in their history. 

City would join an elite band of English teams to win the double, becoming only the eighth club in history to achieve the feat.

Watford stand in the way of the champions' date with destiny and the Hornets have stung many an opponent this term.

Gracia's side was expected to struggle this season but the 49-year-old Spaniard has impressed during his first full campaign in charge after taking over from Marco Silva in January, 2018.

Watford found methods to defeat Tottenham Hotspur and Everton in the Premier League this term but it has been their consistency against their fellow mid-table sides that has impressed.

Gracia's 4-2-2-2 system is unconventional in English football but it has provided his team with a platform to succeed.

The narrow formation could give City large amounts of space on both wings, but Watford will suffocate the central positions if their usual game plan remains in place.

Gerard Deulofeu has been known to football fans for years, but the 25-year-old has finally begun to fulfil his potential. He is facing a fight to be fit for the cup final but if he starts, he will be Watford's most likely threat.

The forward has 12 goals and five assists in the Premier League and FA Cup this season, and City will have to pay special attention to the Spaniard if he wins his fitness race.

Gracia gave his thoughts ahead of the final and said he thinks "it's possible" his team can win:

Guardiola has won almost everything in football but the FA Cup remains one trophy he is yet to capture.

Victory at Wembley will mean the Catalan boss has won England's three major trophies five times in just three years.

Gracia was a defensive player during his years in La Liga, but it is debatable whether he will be able to stop the attacking juggernaut he will be face as a coach in London when City arrive in town.

Watford will take on Manchester City in the 2019 FA Cup final after beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling game on Sunday:

Goals from Matt Doherty and Raul Jimenez put Wolves in charge, but substitute Gerard Deulofeu pulled one back before Troy Deeney forced extra-time with a stoppage-time penalty.

Deulofeu then rolled home the winner in the first period of extra-time to complete the comeback and keep the Hornets' FA Cup dreams alive.

Watford go on to meet Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 18, although the kick-off time has yet to be announced. 

City have already tasted victory at Wembley this season after lifting the Carabao Cup in February after a penalty shootout victory over Chelsea. 

Pep Guardiola's side progressed to the final on Saturday by beating Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0. Gabriel Jesus scored the only goal of the game after just four minutes.

The final will be broadcast on BBC One and BT Sport in the UK, while ESPN has coverage of the competition in the U.S.

Watford started strongly against Wolves in the second semi-final and carved out an excellent chance when Deeney crossed for Andre Gray, but the striker could only volley an effort over the crossbar.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side burst into life towards the end of the first 45 minutes. Leander Dendoncker forced goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes into a good save with a shot that took a deflection off Craig Cathcart.

Wolves then took the lead from a well-worked corner. The ball was played short to Diogo Jota, who flighted a cross to the back post for Doherty to head home:

The west Midlands side then went close to doubling their lead two minutes later. Jota went on a strong run and curled an effort just wide of Gomes' post.

Watford came close to an equaliser just before half-time. Deeney again found Gray in the penalty area, but Wolves captain Conor Coady intervened with a crucial block:

Wolves doubled their lead just after the hour mark in superb style. Jimenez controlled a free-kick into the box on his chest and then volleyed past Gomes:

Watford pulled one back with just over 10 minutes remaining through Deulofeu. The former Barcelona man latched on to a loose ball and chipped the ball beautifully over Wolves goalkeeper John Ruddy:

The goal set up a tense finish and Watford managed to send the game into extra-time with a stoppage-time equaliser from the penalty spot.

Dendocker brought down Deeney, and the striker kept his nerve to power the spot-kick past Ruddy:

Deulofeu then produced another moment of real quality to put Watford ahead for the first time in the tie in the first period of extra-time.

The winger swapped passes with Gray, held off Coady and then coolly rolled the ball past Ruddy to send the Hornets into the FA Cup final for the first time since 1984.

It was a memorable comeback from Watford to win after being 2-0 down with 79 minutes on the clock, but they'll need to produce more heroics if they are to beat Manchester City in the final in May.

Gerard Deulofeu came off the bench to score a brilliant brace to send Watford into the 2019 FA Cup final. Deulofeu's prolific cameo brought the Hornets back from two goals down to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 after extra time at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.  

Goals from Matt Doherty and Raul Jimenez put Wolves into a commanding lead, before Deulofeu scored a superb chip to reduce the deficit. Troy Deeney equalised from the penalty spot deep into normal time after drawing a foul from Leander Dendoncker.

Deulofeu continued to conjure magic in extra time, slotting the winner past John Ruddy after a brilliant solo run.

The goal means the Hornets will now face Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday, 18 May.

Abdoulaye Doucoure Isn't Ready for Champions League Stage

Abdoulaye Doucoure needs to think again if he believes he's ready for the UEFA Champions League. Watford's midfield powerhouse hasn't been shy in expressing his desire to play on Europe's biggest stage in the near future.

Reaching that level demands two things of the 26-year-old. Namely, consistency and bossing the big games.

The latter is something Doucoure struggled to do at Wembley. He appeared off the pace, unable to get a foothold in possession and overwhelmed when tracking runners.

Aside from being culpable for the opening goal, Doucoure couldn't impose himself when Watford had the ball. The Hornets have come to rely on his technique, vision and driving runs from deep.

Sadly, the beefy No. 16 showcased precious little of any of these attributes. Granted, space was at a premium in the middle thanks to Wolves' excellent trio of Joao Moutinho, Dendoncker and Ruben Neves.

Yet using the quality of the opposition to excuse a poor performance isn't the mark of an elite player. Doucoure would expect to face greater talent if he was performing for a Champions League club.

On this evidence, he might struggle with the step up.

Diogo Jota Ready for Move to Top 6 Club

A queue should already be forming among the Premier League's top clubs to get bids in for Diogo Jota once this summer's transfer window opens. None of the big names in England's top flight will find a more dynamic wide forward than Wolves' 22-year-old budding star.

He's combining a ruthless scoring touch with an eye for creating goals. The latter quality unlocked the Watford defence when Jota's inch-perfect chip landed on Doherty's head in the 36th minute.

Many raved about Kevin De Bruyne's cross for Gabriel Jesus' goal when Manchester City beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 in Saturday's semi-final. However, Jota's was the technically superior delivery.

As well as the assist, Jota ran Watford ragged at Wembley. His relentless energy, pace and varied range of movement stretched the Hornets' two banks of four beyond breaking point.

Tracking Jota was Watford's main headache, as he took up a host of threatening positions. He ghosted from the left flank into the pockets behind centre-forward Jimenez. Jota also ran beyond Jimenez, allowing the Mexico international to peel onto the right and drag central defenders out of position.

Watford's success has been built on a rock-solid back four and a combative midfield quartet. Yet the defensive shape became disjointed following Jota and Jimenez, while midfield enforcers like Doucoure were passive when faced with Jota's direct speed.

A typically straight-ahead run saw the forward win the free-kick Wolves eventually played to Jimenez to score the game's second goal.

It was no coincidence Wolves ran out of ideas in extra time, after Jota had made way for Ivan Cavaleiro late on.

Jota's talents aren't under the radar any more. It's time for City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to make Wolves offers they can't refuse.

What's Next?

Wolves return to Premier League duty with a trip to Southampton on Saturday. Watford won't be in action until Monday, 15 April when the Hornets host Arsenal at Vicarage Road.

Manchester City will start their FA Cup semi-final against Brighton & Hove Albion as the overwhelming favourites on Saturday, as they continue their quest for a domestic treble.

Oddschecker shows sportsbooks have installed the Premier League champions as 1-7 favourites, while the Seagulls are coming in as high as 25-1. A draw―after 90 minutes―carries odds of 19-2.

The match at Wembley Stadium will be broadcast on BBC One (for UK viewers), with live-streaming options available via the BBC iPlayer and ESPN+ (for U.S. viewers). Kick-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET.

The Citizens have been in sublime form of late and have ridden their hot streak to the top of the Premier League standings, last tasting defeat in January away at Newcastle United. They enter Saturday's match having won 13 in a row in all competitions, going up against a Brighton side that has lost its past two.

Both teams will likely rotate their squad a bit because of what's at stake in what they likely deem as more important competitions. The Sky Blues will face Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League just days after the semi-final, while Brighton have a slim lead in the Premier League over relegation-threatened Cardiff and have Bournemouth on the schedule next.

The Seagulls will get a full week's worth of rest before they face the Cherries, but health is crucial at this stage of the season, and they likely won't risk all of their star players in a match they are widely expected to lose.

While Wembley presents a neutral ground, Brighton should have the advantage in crowd support because of City's issues with selling their allocated tickets:

Raheem Sterling has taken the opportunity to hand some of the tickets to pupils at his former school:

While this is just another semi-final for City, who could end the season with four major trophies, it's a massive occasion for Brighton, who have only made it to the FA Cup final once, in 1983. They beat the Citizens and Liverpool that year but lost to Manchester United in a final replay.

Manager Chris Hughton doesn't think motivation will be a problem for his players:

But while the incentive will be there for the Seagulls, the gap in quality will be hard to overcome. City are arguably the hottest team in Europe, and they have more than enough depth to rest a few starters on Saturday and still cruise to a win.

Prediction: City 3-1 Brighton

The 2019 FA Cup reaches the semi-final stage this weekend, with Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers the remaining sides in the competition.

Wembley Stadium will host the last-four matches, with City facing Brighton on Saturday before Watford take on Wolves the following day.

City are the overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy, as the Premier League champions chase a quadruple this season.

FA Cup Semi-Finals and Predictions

Saturday

Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion

5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET, BBC One (UK)

Prediction: 4-1

Odds: City 1-7, Brighton 30-1, draw 43-5

Sunday

Watford vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET, BT Sport 2 (UK)

Prediction: 1-1 (Wolves win on penalties)

Odds: Watford 2-1, Wolves 29-18, draw 29-18

Live-stream links: BBC iPlayer, BT Sport App, ESPN+

Odds via Oddschecker.

FA Cup Semi-Final Preview

The FA Cup has an all-Premier League flavour in the last four this term, but only one side can walk away with the famous trophy.

City have built themselves up from an ambitious club with enormous potential into one of the best teams in the world.

Manager Pep Guardiola has remoulded the Etihad Stadium team into a machine that continuously chases the biggest trophies in the game.

After capturing the Carabao Cup on penalties against Chelsea on February 24, City are now looking to add the UEFA Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup this season.

Brighton have spluttered their way through the campaign, just keeping their heads above water in the Premier League, but the FA Cup offers them a chance to cap the season off in style.

The tournament's official YouTube channel shared footage of the Seagulls' route to the last four:

The task of beating City is a heady one for the south-coast team, and Guardiola was able to rotate his squad for the 2-0 win at Cardiff City on Wednesday.

Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Bernardo Silva were left on the bench in preparation for the trip to Wembley on Saturday.

Watford and Wolves have been two of English football's surprise packages this season.

The pair have been the best sides outside of the top six in the Premier League, and they continue to produce remarkable consistency considering the depth of their squads.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo cut his managerial teeth at Valencia and FC Porto, and he has enhanced his reputation with his work at Molineux.

Per Dan Samson of Sky Sports, Wolves skipper Conor Coady said the Portuguese has transformed the west Midlands club:

"He's been fantastic since he came in. It started two years ago when he came to the football club. He had an identity and a philosophy on what he wanted to do and he's really changed the direction of the club. We need to make sure as players that we keep listening to him as much as possible because his ideas and the way he wants to play on the training field is absolutely brilliant."

Watford boss Javi Gracia has also seen his stock rise in the past 12 months. The Spaniard has found a home in Hertfordshire after coaching spells in Spain, Greece and Russia.

Per Sky Sports News, he spoke of his surprise at leading Watford to the latter stages of the cup.

"I've never played as a coach a final," Gracia said. "Semi-finals I played in Russia, but a final I've never played. It will be the best achievement in this competition for sure. If I win it I don't know what I'll do."

The second semi-final could go to the wire, with little between Watford and Wolves in terms of talent.

However, the winners are likely to face the irresistible force that is Manchester City in the final on May 18, which would represent a far different prospect.