Teams hoping for a place at Wembley

Updated 22.13 Fri Apr 13 2007

Keywords: Chelsea, Watford, Manchester United, FA Cup, Blackburn

The race to play in the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley has reached the semi-final stage.

In the first semi-final Manchester United face Watford at Villa Park as top of the Premiership plays bottom. United are overwhelming favourites following their stunning 7-1 win over Roma in mid-week.

"The FA Cup is all about shocks. Because of the way the game is with the money these days, we tend not to get that many, but who knows, maybe it's our year" - Adrian Boothroyd

In the second semi-final Chelsea play Blackburn at Old Trafford. The Blues have already grabbed one trophy this season with the League Cup, and are still in contention for the Premiership and Champions League.

Controversy has already surrounded the semi-finals following reports that thousands of tickets for both games have not been sold. The FA has faced accusations that they have out-priced many fans from the matches.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has acknowledged that they can't take the game against Blackburn easily: "We cannot relax going into the Blackburn game - that would be naive and stupid. We have to pay ultimate respect to them for the season they are having and the players they have got."

Adrian Boothroyd, the Watford manager, is remaining positive about his team's prospects: "The FA Cup is all about shocks. Because of the way the game is with the money these days, we tend not to get that many, but who knows, maybe it's our year."

Watford's task against Manchester United is made even harder as they will be without their first-choice goalkeeper Ben Foster, who is ineligible to play in the match under the terms of his year-long loan deal from Old Trafford.

It leaves an opportunity for Richard Lee, who admits he was a Manchester United fan as a boy: ""At the age of three, my Dad bought me a Manchester United shirt, so I had very little choice in the matter.

"I went to see them twice at Wembley - in the final replay in 1990 against Crystal Palace, when they won 1-0, and in 1999, when they beat Newcastle 2-0."