YOU aren’t reading it wrong, and it isn’t another one of Fifa boss Gianni Infantino’s bizarre ideas – this weekend sees the semi-finals of the FA Cup take place.

As last season’s competition was beleaguered in the early stages by lockdowns which forced non-elite teams to have to shut up shop, it has had to spill over into the next campaign’s calendar for the second year on the bounce.

And with the quarters having been contested at the end of September, four teams now remain: Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton.

The former kick off the bill of fixtures on Sunday when they meet at the Academy Stadium in what will likely be the most exciting of the two games.

Holders City have performed at a level far beneath that which has been required this season and have seen themselves slip to 9th in the Women’s Super League table, eight points adrift of the European qualification and a further 11 behind the top spot.

Much of the underwhelming season has been attributed to an injury crisis which has seen numerous players sidelined and has forced the likes of forward Jill Scott to have two deputies in other positions, in her case as a centre-back.

The blues seem to be a shadow of their former selves, lacking the ruthlessness which led to them going toe-to-toe with Chelsea for the title until late on during the last campaign.

And it’s they who will aim to capitalise on the lacklustre nature of City’s game. While the hosts have struggled, Emma Hayes’s side have — for the most part — continued at their usual level a cut above the rest.

The London club last lifted the trophy in 2018 and, with them going into the game as favourites, will be looking to snatch a spot at Wembley on December 5.

But ahead of the game, Emma Hayes played down the claim that Manchester City are a team to be taken lightly, sympathising with their situation.

“It’s a cup semi-final, there’s something at stake and I really don’t think there will be anything as there never is between these two teams,” she said.

“I think they’ve just been unfortunate. In the games I’ve watched they’ve dominated but just not taken their chances.

“I’ve listened to Gareth [Taylor]’s interviews and I think he’s been spot on. Sometimes when you get into a bad place, sometimes the confidence gets affected and then things just happen.”

The Chelsea boss added: “I don't think they’ve been poor; I think they’ve just been a little bit unfortunate and I think the injuries haven’t helped their situation but they’re a really good team and they’ve shown that, even with Jill Scott coming into that team – what a brilliant player she’s been for that club.

“I don’t underestimate them, I’ve been in this too long to ever do that.”

Meanwhile, Jonas Eidevall will be hoping to see his table-topping Arsenal team set aside Brighton later in the afternoon.

The Gunners have a 100 per cent record in the WSL this season and the expectation will be that they emerge victorious at the end of the game.

The Seagulls are the only team outside of English football’s big three to still be left in the competition, but they have the capacity to pose a threat to the bigger sides.

They ended Chelsea’s 33-game long unbeaten run last season, beat Manchester United on the last day and even bested the Gunners in the Women’s League Cup on penalties.

But for Brighton to see themselves earn a place in the final would require a cup upset in the truest spirit of the phrase, and it seems incredibly unlikely that it would happen.