Tottenham winger Gareth Bale says Spurs will win their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Sunday because they “have the better team”.
Spurs are fourth in the Premier League, two points ahead of Chelsea, but have won only one of their last eight games.
Bale, 22, said: “Chelsea are a great side and have done really well in the Champions League. It won’t be easy.
“But if we are on our game on the day, then we can reach the final because I feel we have the better team.”
Spurs last met Chelsea, who play Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, in March, earning a point from a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
“We played very well at Stamford Bridge recently,” added Welshman Bale. “It ended goalless but we had the better chances on the day and we probably should have won the game. That will give us plenty of confidence going into this match.”
Spurs have not won the FA Cup since 1991 and were beaten 2-0 by Portsmouth in their last appearance in a semi-final two years ago.
Former Southampton man Bale continued: “We let ourselves down against Portsmouth two years ago, we didn’t play well and that was a tough defeat to take.
“We’ve got another chance to reach the FA Cup final and we’re determined not to let it slip by this time.”
Chelsea have won the FA Cup five times since Spurs last lifted the trophy, their most recent success coming in 2010.
Their defence of the trophy last season was ended with a defeat on penalties by Everton, but defender Gary Cahill, who joined the Blues from Bolton in January, was part of the Wanderers side that was beaten 5-0 by Stoke City in the last four.
“That game is not a fond memory,” said the 26-year-old. “It’s something that hurt at the time and still hurts me now. It was just a freak result. It was a freak game.
“But now I have a chance to put that right on Sunday.”
Despite Tottenham’s recent run of poor form, Cahill is fully aware of the threat Spurs pose, including the attacking danger of Bale.
“They are a hard team to beat,” added the former Aston Villa man. “Harry Redknapp is a fantastic manager and he has turned them into a real force this season so it will be a tough game.
“They have a lot of players that can hurt you, like Gareth Bale.”
