Hello and welcome to our live blog for the first of this season’s FA Cup semi-finals as Manchester City take on Southampton at a sun-soaked Wembley Stadium.

It’s the business end of the season, and Pep Guardiola’s sky blue machine is purring. Man City head into this contest on a five-game winning run, where they’ve collected two victories over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final and the Premier League, while also beating Liverpool, Chelsea and Burnley.

Having already ticked the Carabao Cup off their list, Man City are charging towards a domestic treble. They’re now top of the Premier League and are the overwhelming favourites to win the FA Cup as they’re expected to bulldoze Southampton here at Wembley, and whoever gets to the final out of Chelsea and Leeds United.

Despite all Guardiola’s glittering success at Man City, this season’s FA Cup is an opportunity for redemption after losing the competition’s last two finals against Manchester United and Crystal Palace in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Southampton stand in Man City’s way, and they’re in phenomenal form. Tonda Eckert’s men are on a stunning 20-match unbeaten streak, dating back to January when they lost 2-1 against Hull City. This run has catapulted Southampton into the play-offs as they sit fifth in the Championship.

FA Cup victories over top-flight duo Fulham and Arsenal have also been standout moments for the club in 2026, and they enter this fixture with confidence, knowing they’re perfectly capable of causing an upset.

While promotion to the Premier League is probably Southampton’s ultimate aim, an unlikely FA Cup triumph would put this current group of players in the history books and etch them into the club’s folklore.

This game is an all-conquering force against a team with absolutely nothing to lose. For Man City, trips to Wembley are a regular occurrence and happen each season, while for Southampton, they will dream of an extraordinary upset.

Kick-off is at 17:15, with team news on the way shortly.