FA Cup QF Replay Scheduled for 1st April

The replay for the QuarterFinal clash between Manchester United and Chelsea will take place at Stamford bridge on 1st April (Easter Monday). This is just two days after the Reds visit the Stadium of Light (one of the coolest sounding venues ever) for a usually combative clash with Martin O'Neill's Sunderland.

Chelsea will also play Southampton, also away and on the same day. In fact, the two matches are scheduled to kick-off simultaneously, so neither side can really complain.

I don't think there should be any great concern - the two games come off the back of the international break, and the next league game is another London visit to West Ham United on 17th April. If we get through to the Semi Finals, however, we'll have a Wembley Date on 13th/14th April with the previously noisy but now quite calm neighbours, Manchester City.

On the balance of things, it looks like we might be better off in this tie. Stamford Bridge has not been friendly to Rafa Benitez's Chelsea, and they astoundingly have a better record away than at home this season. Further, our squad depth is excellent, probably the best in the league, while Chelsea are not as comfortable. Another cause for concern for our friends over at WAGNH is that Chelsea lead Arsenal by a mere 5 points, with 10 games and a head-to-head 6 pointer to go. Rafa Benitez cannot afford to slip up against the relegation battling Saints, who have already scalped Manchester City at home.

Source: ManUtd.com