Key Match Details
- Fixture: Manchester City vs. Southampton
- Stage: FA Cup Semi-Final
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
Manchester City are headed back to Wembley later this month for a high-stakes FA Cup semi-final clash against Southampton. With another major trophy within reach, the Blues prepare for a defining moment in their season as they look to secure their place in the final.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side will return to Wembley Stadium on the weekend of April 25–26 to face Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Saints stun Arsenal to book place
Southampton arrive in the last four full of confidence after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side were widely expected to progress, but the Saints produced one of the standout upsets of this season’s competition.
City cruise past Liverpool
City, meanwhile, booked their place in emphatic fashion with a dominant 4-0 win over Liverpool.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Virgil van Dijk fouled Nico O’Reilly. The Norwegian doubled the lead just before half-time, heading home from Antoine Semenyo’s cross.
Semenyo then added a third shortly after the restart, before Haaland completed his hat-trick with a close-range finish from O’Reilly’s low delivery to cap off a commanding display.
Treble hopes still alive
With Arsenal now out of the FA Cup, City have emerged as favourites to lift the trophy, as Guardiola’s men continue to chase a domestic treble.
Having already secured the Carabao Cup beating title rivals Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley last month, the Blues are also looking to close a nine-point gap to Arsenal in the Premier League title race, with a crucial meeting between the two sides on the horizon.
Semi-final line-up confirmed
The FA Cup semi-final line-up was completed following Leeds United’s dramatic penalty shootout win over West Ham United. Elsewhere, Chelsea and Southampton secured their places with victories over Port Vale and Arsenal respectively.
| Club | Path to Semi-Final | Notable Fact |
| Manchester City | Defeated Liverpool (4–0) | Guardiola’s 23rd trip to Wembley |
| Southampton | Defeated Arsenal (2–1) | First final four since 2021 |
| Chelsea | Defeated Port Vale | Continuing strong cup form |
| Leeds United | Defeated West Ham (Pens) | Won via dramatic shootout |
While City are the heavy favorites, history shows that Southampton are no strangers to FA Cup magic. This fixture marks City’s second trip to Wembley this season, following their victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
| Feature | Manchester City | Southampton |
| Total FA Cup Titles | 7 | 1 (1976) |
| Guardiola Era Titles | 2 | 0 |
| Last Meeting (FA Cup) | 2022 (City won 4–1) | 2022 (Lost to City) |
| Current Form | Chasing Treble | “Giant Killers” |
Wembley history and past meetings
This will mark City’s 23rd visit to Wembley under Pep Guardiola, and their second trip this season following victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
City have lifted the FA Cup seven times in their history, with Guardiola responsible for two of those triumphs. Southampton, meanwhile, have won the competition once famously defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the 1976 final.
The last FA Cup meeting between the two sides came in March 2022, when City ran out 4-1 winners thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez.
With a place in the final and more history on the line City will head to Wembley aiming to take another step towards silverware.
