Gerrard could be forgiven for growing weary of facing such a familiar foe, having been involved in so many big games between the sides, but with a massive FA Cup final to play at Wembley on Saturday, that certainly is not the case.

Both EPL sides have set sights on higher honors and both the EPL sides are finishing the season strongly, such as this weekend and a place in Europe. Last weekend, Chelsea belted Queens Park Rangers 6-1 and they face a crucial mid-week match with Newcastle.

At the weekend, Liverpool touched up Norwich and they will hope to overcome Fulham during the week. The Reds can add further silverware to their cabinet with victory over Chelsea after winning the Carling Cup in February, while they have not had a great EPL season.

Liverpool will hope to overcome Fulham during the week and touched up Norwich at the weekend. The Reds can add further silverware to their cabinet with victory over Chelsea after winning the Carling Cup in February, while they have not had a great EPL season. This season, the two teams have met only once. In that clash at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool took the honors, downing Chelsea 2-1 back on November 20.

For the blues, Didier Drogba recently helped propel the Blues into the Champions League decider. The Reds will need to stop Chelsea’s main man. Given his penchant for scoring in Cup finals, he should be known as ‘Mr. FA Cup’. John Terry is crucial to the Blues. He has been a stalwart at the back for so long. Fernando Torres has regained form and he looks dangerous.

For the Reds, Louis Suarez has become a prolific scorer. Steven Gerrard’s ability to score and big-game performances will ensure some anxiety among the Blues’ camp. Pepe Reina has been in superb form again this season, with only three teams boasting a superior defensive record than eighth-placed (Premier League table) Liverpool.

An FA regulatory commission rejected the appeal on Thursday although it did not deem Chelsea’s representation to be “frivolous”, meaning no extra matches were added to the ban.

Television footage of the Saturday’s league match at Stamford Bridge showed Ivanovic appearing to strike the Wigan Athletic forward Shaun Maloney in the midriff after the two players tangled approaching the Chelsea penalty area during stoppage time. The incident was missed by the referee Mike Jones allowing the FA to take retrospective action over the offence. The tackle left the Scot bent double on the turf while the hosts went on to mount an attack from which they won the game.

The defender will be available for both legs of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, although he will Premier League games against Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers. Given the Ashley Cole has been struggling with an ankle injury and John Terry has been playing through the pain of two cracked ribs, remains a fitness doubt for the weekend. The absence of Ivanovic is especially badly timed for Chelsea.

Over recent months, the Portugal internationals José Bosingwa has fallen out of favor. Paulo Ferreira will deputize for Ivanovic, as he has been under-used. If required, David Luiz is another option at fullback. veteran Portugal full back Ferreira has made only six appearances and Bosingwa is struggling for form.

Next Wednesday, Chelsea hope to have Ashley Cole fit to feature against Spurs and, potentially, Barcelona in the Champions League. Chelsea’s interim manager Roberto Di Matteo has two other options at right back for Sunday’s game.

Roman Abramovich allowed him the choice between the three clubs who wanted to sign him on loan this season, meanwhile, Yossi Benayoun has admitted. The decision to allow Benayoun to join Arsenal has looked increasingly questionable given the central part he has played in their revival.

Chelsea faces Tottenham in the FA Cup semi final. The best betting odds for this match have Tottenham (17/10) and Chelsea (19/10).

The impressive Ribery’s game play from scoring against his former side late on was prevented by some desperate defending. In the second half, Marseille improved but had little hope of ending Bayern’s dream of playing the final in its own stadium on May 19. The Spanish team leads 3-0 going into its second leg Wednesday.

The Spanish club is hosting APOEL Nicosia on Wednesday and holding a 3-0 advantage from the first leg in Cyprus, four-time European champions Bayern look set to meet nine-time winners Real Madrid in a mouth-watering semifinal later this month.

Olic has spent most of the season on the bench while the Germany international has been scoring at will. He was a surprise addition in the line-up ahead of Bundesliga top scorer Mario Gomez. Olic has 23 times in the league and 11 times in the Champions League.

The 32-year-old Croat has repeatedly said that if he did not get more playing time, he would be moving on at the end of the season but Coach Jupp Heynckes had no reason to change as long as Gomez kept scoring. The German giants were always favorites to progress tonight and so it proved as two clinical moments from the Croatian proved sufficient, already leading 2-0 from the first leg.

Bayern will now go on to a likely last-four meeting with Real Madrid, questions are starting to mount over the future of Marseille manager Didier Deschamps. Marseille‘s turgid form has seen his position come under some scrutiny already, comfortably out of the domestic title race and dumped out of the cup by unfancied opposition. Bayern put paid to that, although the Champions League was perhaps his last hope of salvation.

Tonight, Jerome Boateng set the tone for the hosts with an early header that whistled just over, before Marseille stirred, with Jeremy Morel and Loic Remy were both denied by Manuel Neuer. Bayern clicked into cruise control and saw the game out with some ease; Brandao’s header could have given Marseille the most fanciful of lifelines but sailed over and from then on.

The Champions League Outrights Winner have Barcelona 10/11, Real Madrid 11/4, Bayern Munich 5, Chelsea 12, Benfica 150.

The Black Yellows, Borussia Dortmund and The Foals, Borussia VfL Mönchengladbach are in second just a game away from overtaking the leaders. The league has a top-heavy look with the top seven teams capable of rocketing to the top spot at any time but the rest of the teams in the league appear along for the ride.

Bayer Leverkusen, aptly named the Factory Squad and The Swabians from Stuttgart are two teams within striking distance of the top spot and although the seven points may seem like a lot to overcome it is just one bad week that could flip these standings on end.

In the middle of these teams are two other teams with potential to upset Bayern München’s apple cart. The River Islanders, Werder Bremen and The Royal Blues, Schalke 04 are two other teams with an edge that can take over the top spot under the right circumstances.

So what team is the best in the German Bundesliga? It is tough to pass judgement as of yet. Any of these seven could end up in the top spot but the league is Bayern München’s to lose but anything can happen as the season moves forward. Looking for a long shot to make everything cloudy? Take a look at the interlopers known as The Blue Whites, Hertha BSC. They are within striking distance and can get into the mix with a good run.

For Bristol Academy, a 2-0 FA Cup final overwhelmed by Arsenal carried a huge consolation prize. Through reaching the final, they have qualified for next season’s Champions League, along with the Gunners.

Academy are set to follow their first appearance in a domestic cup final with a first campaign in Europe, twelve months after finishing bottom of the Premier League and avoiding demotion only because their attempt to become founder members of the Super League had been successful.

In 10 years, it will be Arsenal’s ninth European campaign. Thanks to first-half goals by two Scotland internationals, Kim Little and Julie Fleeting, on Saturday at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena restored the Gunners to what they feel is their default position as FA Cup winners. This was their fifth win in 6 seasons and their 11th in all, after having suffered their only defeat in a final last year, going down 3-2 after extra time against Everton.

Arsenal remained in control of the contest, although Bristol sought a response after the break and they came within inches of getting a goal back as Helen Bleazard’s free kick came back off the bar.

Siobhan Chamberlain saved well from close range, although Little had a late opportunity to grab her second goal.

Defender Robert Huth is probable to miss the FA Cup final and this has made worries for Stoke to grow. In the triumph over Arsenal on Sunday, the German injured his leg in a collision with Alex Song, and the club is anxious on the outcome of scans. Stoke club and fans fear the injury may keep him out of the Wembley face-off against Manchester city.

Boss Tony Pulis had pinpointed Huth’s goal-scoring talent as a prospective match-winning tactic and the injury could be a major blow to Stoke City. This season, the ex-Chelsea man has scored nine times from set pieces and sits third in the club’s table of leading scorers.

For Saturday’s FA Cup final face-off with Stoke, Carlos Tevez is winning his scuffle to be fit. Manchester City striker Tevez will be on the subs’ bench tonight as Tottenham visit Eastlands. He has been out for the past three weeks with a hamstring injury. Tevez is optimistic of playing in the FA Cup final.

The Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini has made it clear that he would only risk him at Wembley this Saturday against Stoke City if he confirmed his fitness against Spurs. He had declared it during Tevez’s recovery from a hamstring injury suffered against Liverpool in April.

Arsenal is a +150 favorite, Manchester United is at +188, and a Draw is +225 in Premier League Betting US Odds.

Edwin van der Sar has been strong in goal for Manchester, yielding just 28 goals in his 30 starts. He has been a major reason why the team is threatening to claim another EPL title. On offense, the club relies on Dimitar Berbatov, who has a remarkable 21 goals. Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez are also double digit scorers for the most prolific offense in the league.

For Arsenal, the goaltending has not been a strong. Four different goalies have started EPL games for them this season, allowing a total of 36 goals. On offense, Robin Van Persie has emerged as the top goal scorer. He has 15 to lead the club. Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott are also potent scorers. The offense isn’t as strong as that of Manchester United, but Arsenal can score goals.

Arsenal is winless in their last three EPL matches. They have a recent loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup, and also lost their EPL match to Manchester this season. Playing at home, Arsenal will be hungry. A win would ease the pain of their recent slide. Expect whichever side scores first to take the win here.

United has proposed a written report clarifying why they feel the punishment is difficult to deal with. A three-man commission will be heard at Wembley and the judgment may not be made public on Wednesday. The club hopes that the prohibition will be lessened so that only the game against Fulham on Saturday gets affected.

In a statement released by United, the striker made an apology for his goal celebration, if it had caused any offence, particularly to any parents or children that were watching. He added that his heat-of-the-moment response was improper, as his emotions were running high. He clarified that his behavior was not aimed at anyone in particular.

In a bid to have Rooney available for the Wembley clash with City a week on Saturday, Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson and his board are ready to challenge the FA. The coach and the board are very annoyed at the punishment.

At the notion of missing the FA Cup semifinal against Manchester City, Rooney is ravaged and crushed. The soccer betting lines has seen a lot of action lately. The best odds for the FA Cup semifinal for Manchester City are 21/10 and Manchester United 11/8. The match is scheduled to be held on 16 April 2011.

In soccer betting lines Odds, the Manchester United is a -275 moneyline favorite and Bolton is a +800 underdog.

Manchester United has lost two of their last three games, including a 3-1 loss to Liverpool. Goalie Edwin van der Saar has been solid all year, allowing 28 goals in 27 starts. Despite some recent struggles, he is the key to making Manchester United a success. Offensively, Dimitar Berbatov is the leading scorer. He has 19 goals on the season. Nani and Javier Hernandez are also key players on offense.

Jussi Jaaskelainen is the goalie for Bolton. He has had an up and down season. Jaaskelainen has shown signs that he is a strong goaltender, but has also let in a few loose shots. The Bolton offense is not as potent as that of Manchester. Johan Elmander leads the team with 9 goals, but Bolton doesn’t score easily. During one stretch this season, Bolton was shut out three straight times.

Bolton forced a draw with Manchester earlier this season. They are fully capable of hanging with this team. The score of that game was 2-2, so Bolton knows they can score as well. They will need that confidence if they want to have a chance at beating Manchester. For their part, Manchester can’t overlook Bolton. They are in the middle of a key stretch, and every win counts.

Tonight, Louis Saha will try to keep Everton’s Wembley dream alive, after a near death experience in a horror smash. Writing off the £170,000 car, the French star crashed his Ferrari 458 Italia into a fence in Wilmslow. Amazingly he walked away unscathed and he is all set to face Reading in a delayed FA Cup fifth-round showdown. The accident happened close to a tunnel where Cristiano Ronaldo wrote off his Ferrari in January 2009. Ronaldo too had a death-defying crash.

Boss David Moyes revealed last night the Saha was among the few players who have no injury concerns and is ready for tonight’s crucial game. Moyes has a fitness concerns for the trio Tim Cahill, Seamus Coleman and Marouane Fellaini and has a number of other fitness concerns. With Manchester City or Aston Villa, he will be looking to Leon Osman to help set up a tie.

In Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sunderland, Osman was outstanding and his display showed why Moyes has stuck by him.

Reading manager Brian McDermott will start the game with two genuine wingers in Jobi McAnuff and Jimmy Kebe and he has promised to attack Everton. He said that this is game what he, his team exactly wanted, and for the second year in a row, they are trying to get into the FA Cup quarterfinals. Captain and centre half Ivar Ingimarsson is also set to miss the match with a groin problem, while Reading keeper Adam Federici is out with a knee injury.

According to the betting odds in various betting sites for FA Cup, the best odds for an Everton win is 4/9 and for Reading is 6/1. The best bet for a draw is 10/3.