For the first time in history, the FA Cup Final will welcome a Manchester Derby. Both sides come into the game looking to collect their second trophy of the season after Manchester United claimed the Carabao Cup with City retaining their Premier League title.
If Manchester City claim the FA Cup today, they will just need to beat Inter Milan next weekend to match United’s famous 1999 treble winning season. All the more reason for Ten Haag and his team to cause an upset today!
Manchester City’s route to the final couldn’t have been made simpler… scoring 17 goals without conceding all competition is very impressive. Although, without a win in their last 2 league games it’s important they don’t continue to take ‘easy’ going into this one!
Manchester United will be confident coming into this game after 4 straight league wins go secure Champions League football next season and also coming from behind to claim all three points in the latest Manchester Derby this season.
Only once in the last 15 meetings has this tie ended in a draw so the idea of extra time looks unlikely due to recent history!
The last 3 head to heads has seen both sides find the net and over 2.5 goals including that famous 6-3 at the Etihad this season where Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both helped themselves to a hat-trick!
City have claimed 8 victories to United’s 6 in the last 15 meetings showing how close todays final really could be!
Injuries may play in City’s favour as Pep’s men have no fresh injury concerns but it looks as though United will be without Martial and Antony which means they lack any sort of firepower up top with the pressure once again lying on Rashford’s shoulders to be deliver.
United have scored 12 goals in their 5 FA Cup ties collecting 8 yellow cards with an average of 2.16 cards per game domestically. Casemiro or Scott McTominay are the two players who I’d be backing to see yellow today – dependant on the starting line up.
Most Yellows: Casemiro (8), McTominay (7), Rodri (8) Bernardo Silva (9)
Shots on Target (xG Per 90): Haaland (0.99 xG), Alvarez (0.44 xG), Rashford (0.53 xG), Garnacho (0.47xG)
Assists: Kevin De Bruyne (0.66), Mahrez (0.38), Grealish (0.30), Eriksen (0.35), Garnacho (0.32), Fernandes (0.22)
I expect to see an end to end exciting game with both teams finding the net but I’m favouring Manchester City to lift the trophy within 90 minutes!
Bet Prediction: Manchester City Win
