FA Cup to Impact Title Race

There are now just four points between Chelsea and Tottenham at the top of the Premier League and its now more tense than it has been for months. Just three weeks ago, everyone thought it was all wrapped up, but now with just six games to go, it looks like it could be an interesting finish to the season.

The FA Cup Semi-final managed to come up with the two sides facing each other in a battle to get to the final next month. With Chelsea looking slightly less impressive, it could be an opportunity for Tottenham to come in and damage their confidence a little more and make them a bit more nervous when looking over their shoulder.

In last weeks defeat to Manchester United, Antonio Conte conceded that Spurs were the best team in the league at the moment, and you can't say he is wrong with eight wins on the bounce and successive 4-0 home wins leading Spurs to the best goal difference in the league and maintaining the best defence. With talisman Harry Kane back in the fold and scoring goals, Dele Alli flying at the moment, and Heung-Min Son enjoying another run of form, they also look frightening in front of goal, so Conte is very much justified.

Chelsea are still a very good side though and a win on Saturday against their London rivals may just give them that boost to go on to win the title. They face Southampton on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge where they could open a seven point cushion, with Spurs travelling to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, a team who have recently beat the blues and London rivals Arsenal.

The run-in definitely favours Chelsea as Spurs have some tough games to play with Arsenal and Manchester United both visiting White Hart Lane, then with away fixtures to Palace, West Ham, Leicester, and Hull. Hull could be difficult as they might be fighting to stay up, Leicester have picked themselves up again, West Ham and Spurs have a rivalry between them and Selhurst Park is not an easy place to go.

Comparing that to Chelsea who have some very winnable games. They have Watford, Sunderland, Southampton, and Middlesbrough all still to visit them. They have to go to West Brom and Everton which might be a test, but the home fixtures are certainly not too hard to come from unscathed.

The semi-final on Saturday may be the one that dents the belief in the Chelsea players that maybe Spurs are better than them and that they could be in for a real test against Southampton. Diego Costa hasn't been at his best for some time now, but Hazard has been the star to keep them going, you just think if he stops playing well then that could be it for them.

Manchester United found them out from a stroke of genius from Mourinho where they took Hazard out of the game with man marking from Herrera. They also played in behind Chelsea and ditched Ibrahimovic, a bold move, to play Rashford and Lingard. Maybe other teams will notice how to beat them now and do the same.

If Spurs keep their momentum going into this game then they could very well come out on top and find themselves in an FA Cup final for the first time in 26 years and also have a real chance of winning the Premier League for the first time. You can watch the Semi-final on Saturday 22nd April on BBC One with 5:15 kick-off.