Di Matteo may consider fielding weakened side for semi, says Hoddle

Glenn Hoddle believes Roberto Di Matteo may consider fielding a “weakened” side in Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham. Hoddle, the only man to have played for and managed both the London rivals, reckons caretaker Blues manager Di Matteo will prioritise Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona and the following Saturday’s crucial Barclays Premier League clash at Arsenal.

Hoddle said: “The biggest problem for Chelsea is the Sunday six o’clock kick off is not very helpful with such a big Champions League tie at the Bridge against Barcelona. Had it been an early afternoon kick-off, it would have been different. But it must be running through Robbie’s mind to play a weakened team in the sense that one or two key players will be held back as long as possible for Barcelona. In reality, the only thing that matters to Chelsea come the end of the season is finishing in the top four.

“Let’s face it, it’s a tough ask to overcome Barcelona over two legs, and then go on and win the final of the Champions League – that’s asking too much perhaps. So the priority is the top four. Having said that, they would love to beat Spurs and go on and win the final and land a trophy, so it might be a weakened team in some people’s eyes but, for Robbie, it won’t be.”

Hoddle admitted he would have tipped Tottenham before Chelsea sacked Andre Villas-Boas last month but was not so sure now, with Spurs currently on a bad run. He added: “This cup tie is delicately poised, has so many permutations, that is so close to call.”

Defenders John Terry and Ashley Cole were both passed fit yesterday, but Branislav Ivanovic begins a three-match ban after being found guilty of violent conduct, while Ryan Bertrand (calf) and Oriol Romeu (illness) are set to miss out.

Harry Redknapp, meanwhile, has called on his injury-hit Tottenham squad to step up and prove they are the real deal by beating Chelsea on Sunday to move one step closer to lifting their first FA Cup in 21 years. Redknapp’s current crop have spent the best part of this season being compared to the great Spurs teams of the past – most notably the one that triumphed in the FA Cup in 1991, and the team that won the double 30 years before.

An 11-match unbeaten run at the end of 2011 left many tipping Redknapp’s squad for silverware, but their season has imploded since February and they have won just one Barclays Premier League game in eight. They still just hold the advantage in the race for fourth and they now also have a chance of lifting the cup for the first time since 1991, when Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker inspired the Londoners to victory over Nottingham Forest.

“This is a great opportunity for us to go all the way this year,” Redknapp said. “On our day we can beat Chelsea. We can beat anyone. There is not a lot between the two teams, but they have the medals to show for it. They have been there and done it all in the last few years. Tottenham have won two trophies since 1991 and they were both Carling Cups so it’s about time we won another.”