TWO showpiece FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley this weekend couldn’t offer more contrasting and conflicting scenarios.

On Saturday, Liverpool take on Everton in the Merseyside derby in what is guaranteed to set the blood racing in terms of passion and wholehearted commitment.

On Sunday, Chelsea tackle Spurs in the London derby – the difference being that neither team wants to be there.

They both have more pressing engagements, notably securing a Champions League placing in the Barclays Premier League this season and also, in Chelsea’s case, the little matter of Barcelona – and Messi – at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

How sad that the world’s oldest and most prestigious cup competion has sunk so low in the batting order of priorities.

’Arry's ailing Spurs and Di Matteo’s rejuvenated Blues will, of course, go through all the necessary motions and emotions – they will kick lumps out of each other and kiss the badge when they score in front of their adoring fans.

But in their heart of hearts they would rather be elsewhere – preferably resting in anticipation of the bigger battles that lie ahead.

At least with the Scousers there will be genuine tears, tantrums and the feeling of glorious achievement in reaching an FA Cup Final.

And it is the first time I can remember the blue half of Merseyside going into a match as the clear favourites. Almost unheard of.

So much so that Tom, the proprietor of Floods restaurant on Weymouth’s Quayside and a devoted Evertonian has already placed his bet.

“I've stuck £30 on my team,” he says. “An FA Cup semi-final victory over the old enemy would be the perfect way to celebrate David Moyes’ 10 years at Goodison.”

And for the beleaguered Kenny Dalglish it is another chance of vindication after truly shocking league form. Not that it bothers Brahim, a senior sales supervisor at the Vodaphone shop in St Mary’s Street and a true Red.

“It really bugs me all this negativity surrounding Kenny. If you think about it he hasn’t been in the job all that long. The real Liverpool fans knew what a job he had to do. Let him get on with it and give him a break.”

Okay. But the reality is that the King of the Kop is, according to many learned critics, in the last chance saloon and only an FA Cup success can save him.

In fact, all four semi-finalists could conceivably have a new manager for next season.

We all wait with baited breath for the headline: “Cry God! For England, ’Arry and Saint George”. That is when the FA big-wigs stop dithering and finally put him in place for Euro 2012 to give our boys any sort of chance.

It has been mentioned in despatches that Moyes is the hot favourite to succeed him at White Hart Lane.

And Roberto Di Matteo has about as much chance of being appointed the full-time Chel-sea boss as Chancellor George Osborne being invited by Sally Lunne Bakery in St Alban Street to take part in their annual pasty- eating competition.

It was always said that to lose an FA Cup semi-final is the most heart-breaking experience of a player’s career – because you were just 90 minutes away from the most glorious occasion of the season. The pomp, prestige and pageantry of an FA Cup final at Wembley. Not any more it would seem.