Manchester City have had the bit between their teeth in the FA Cup this season. In the third round, they put ten goals past Exeter City, becoming the first top-flight club to notch double figures in the competition since Bill Nicholson’s famous Tottenham Hotspur side scored 13 times against Crewe in 1960. They’ve since gone to Newcastle and found the net three times, thrashed Liverpool, the reigning champions of England, by four goals, and … well, they only managed two against fourth-tier Salford in the fourth round, but let’s not spoil the effect. They’re UP FOR THE CUP, and what’s more, this will be their eighth consecutive FA Cup semi-final in a period which covers 21 matches against lower-league teams, City winning them all to the cumulative scoreline of 84-11. Eight in a row! 84-11! Southampton could be forgiven for not turning up.

But Southampton will turn up, and with good reason. Saints held City at St Mary’s towards the tail end of last season, having given Pep Guardiola’s men a good game at the Etihad earlier in the campaign. And then there was that Nathan Jones inspired League Cup victory early in 2023. So this is not necessarily a dream match-up for City, never mind a shoo-in, and that’s before one considers the emphasis they’ll surely, understandably, be putting on their pursuit of the Premier League, with Rodri unlikely to be risked this afternoon … and that Pep is not immune to being unceremoniously cashiered from the grand old competition, just ask Wigan. Oh, and there’s also the manner in which Saints majestically swiped aside Arsenal in the quarters: they’re UP FOR THE CUP too, and if Tonda Eckert’s team play like that again, City will have a few problems to solve.

So this is set up deliciously, with both clubs and their fans daring to dream. City have their eye on becoming the first team in history to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals, en route to their third FA Cup lift in eight seasons, and a possible domestic treble. Saints meanwhile want to mark the 50th anniversary of their proudest day with their second FA Cup win, and reaching a first final since 2003 is the necessary next step. Could be a cracker; let’s hope so. Kick-off is at 5.15pm BST. It’s on!