United and Chelsea wary of F.A. Cup underdogs
LONDON (Agencies): The form book points to a glamour English F.A. Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea, but underdogs Oldham and Luton are growling out a warning ahead of this weekend's semifinals that this is their year.
Manchester United, already deprived of the League Cup by Aston Villa last month and being hounded for the championship title by Blackburn, faces a revived Oldham Athletic in Sunday's semifinal a week after struggling to beat them in the premier league.
The sides have shared 12 goals in two league meetings this season, and relegation-strugglers Oldham, which has won three of its last five league games, showed in last Monday's 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford that it is capable of stretching United to the limit.
United manager Alex Ferguson admits: "There will be plenty of goals. Every time these two sides meet there are mistakes all over the place."
United's increased commitment to attack this season is reflected in a defensive record of 51 goals conceded from 54 games, compared with last season's record of just 35 in 50 in all competitions.
But Oldham manager Joe Royle said: "I wouldn't say they are any more vulnerable at the back, though one or two of them might be looking a little tired at this stage because they've been in front an awful long time. But they are a great side with tremendous squad strength."
Oldham defender Richard Jobson, warned, however: "We've proved we can nick a goal or two off them and we're just hoping that the year of the underdog has one more bite in it."
In tomorrow's semifinal, Luton Town striker Kerry Dixon aims to hurt a lot of his friends by leading his team to victory over his old club Chelsea.
Doubtful
The result of tomorrow's match could well be decided by a pre- match fitness check at the Premiership club.
Three key Blues -- player-manager Glenn Hoddle (tendinitis), captain Dennis Wise (chest infection) and defender Craig Burley (hamstring) -- are doubtful for the Wembley showdown with the First Division side.
"If we lost both Dennis Wise and Craig Burley, then I think the pendulum will have swung favorably for Luton," Hoddle admitted. "Both have been in exceptional form for us recently and their loss would make a big difference.
"Dennis turned up today with a dose of the flu on his chest, so we sent him straight back to bed.
"Craig hasn't kicked a ball or trained at all since he limped off at Newcastle on Monday and I haven't done anything since we lost at Sheffield Wednesday last week.
Luton Town manager David Pleat believes his first division underdog could have a better chance of reaching the F.A. Cup final if rival boss Hoddle pulls on his boots for Chelsea.
Pleat, who was Hoddle's manager at Tottenham when they lost the 1987 final, said: "I would be happy to see him play against us. We know what he can do with his lovely imagination and vision on the ball but we also know what he's capable of in other areas.
Decisive weekend
In the Italian Serie A league, AC Milan can complete its third consecutive championship success in Torino's Delle Alpi stadium tomorrow.
With just four games to play, it has a six-point lead over second-placed Juventus. If Milan beats Torino, then Juventus would have to win in Naples on Sunday to keep the contest alive.
Milan coach Fabio Capello awaits the return of seven players involved in a midweek Italian team training session in Florence before selecting his side.
Frenchman Marcel Desailly, Croat Zvonimir Boban and Montenegrin Dejan Savicevic are likely to be his first choice foreign player trio.
Torino, still involved in the battle for UEFA Cup places next season, will be weakened by the absence of defender Roberto Mussi and midfielder Enzo Francescoli, both injured.
Milan asked for the game to be brought forward to tomorrow because of its Champions' League tie away to Porto next Wednesday.