Man City target FA Cup glory to salvage underwhelming season

LONDON — Manchester City players face Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals, looking to keep alive their last chance of silverware in a troubled season.

City are the last of the Premier League’s big guns standing as Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Brighton are among those to headline the year of the underdog in the FA Cup.

Here are the key storylines before the action of the weekend:

Bournemouth danger for struggling Man City

At risk of finishing their first season without a major trophy since 2016-17, Manchester City will make their way to Bournemouth with at least some trepidation after having lost at the Vitality Stadium earlier this season.

Having lost 2-1 to Bournemouth in the Premier League in November, that was the first time in history that City had lost to the Cherries.

The shock loss presaged City’s stunning decline as they finished just one of their next 11 matches in all competitions.

With six English trophies in seven seasons, City — marooned in fifth in the Premier League — have been forced to reduce their ambition to fighting to qualify for next season’s Champions League and avert their first season without a trophy under Guardiola since the coach’s debut campaign in 2016-17.

A loss to Nottingham Forest and a draw against Brighton in their two most recent games is a reminder that Guardiola still has yet to solve the laundry list of problems chewed him City this season.

Another dose of misery from Bournemouth — who have never made the FA Cup semifinals — would be another ignominious chapter in a harsh season for Guardiola.

Fulham bid to end FA Cup woe

Fulham will visit Crystal Palace on Saturday with history in its sights as the Cottagers attempt to end 50 years of F.A. Cup futility.

Chelsea have not made the FA Cup final for five decades — when they lost their only appearance in the showpiece to West Ham — and it is 2002 since their last semi-final appearance.

Marco Silva’s men defeated holders Manchester United on penalties in the fifth round but lost 2-0 at home to their south London visitors in the league in February.

That win aside, Oliver Glasner’s side are enjoying an excellent run of five consecutive away wins in all competitions and have recorded six consecutive clean sheets on their travels.

United may be able to call on Jean-Philippe Mateta after the French striker trained this week following the gruesome challenge from Millwall keeper Liam Roberts that left him needing 25 stitches around his ear, Palace, who have never won the FA Cup, might welcome back.

Will Forest fall to Wood blow?

Nottingham Forest star striker Chris Wood will miss the game against them as they go in search of what would be another milestone moment in their dream season.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team have risen to third in the Premier League, with a first foray into the Champions League since the 1980-81 season in their sights.

Guiding Forest to their first FA Cup semi-final since 1991 — when they were beaten by Tottenham in the final — would bolster Nuno’s credentials to be named manager of the year.

But Forest must do it the hard way after their leading scorer Wood was ruled out with a hip injury suffered during international duty with New Zealand.

“He’s not going to be available for this game. He takes a hit very hard on his hip so he is in pain there,” Nuno said.

Preston aim to shock Villa

Preston, who sit 14th in the Championship, welcome Aston Villa as the remaining team outside the Premier League in this season’s FA Cup.

Preston won the FA Cup in 1889 and 1938, but have not reached the semi-finals since 1964 and last played in the top flight in 1961.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side take on a Villa team that have not reached the semi-finals in 10 years.

Villa, who have advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, have not won the FA Cup since 1957, their most recent final ending in disappointment against Arsenal in 2015.

Fixtures (all times GMT):

Saturday

Fulham v Crystal Palace (1215), Brighton v Nottingham Forest (1715)

Sunday

Preston v Aston Villa (1230), Bournemouth v Manchester City (1530)