FA Cup Final Predictions: History at stake as City and United lock horns at Wembley

Manchester United will be out to stop their bitter rivals from making history when they face Manchester City in front of a packed crowd at Wembley this weekend.

The two sides will square off under the arch in an FA Cup final for the first time on Saturday afternoon, meeting there almost 12 years since their last encounter in the capital for the 2011 Community Shield. 

Should Pep Guardiola’s side be successful then they will take one step closer to becoming only the second side to win a continental treble in England - a feat only ever achieved before by Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils.

It’s one win a piece in the Premier League this season, but the Citizens’ league title means that the red side of Manny need this one for bragging rights. Football expert Joe Crann is on hand to break things down ahead of the big game.

City’s fine form

They may have lost to Brentford on the final day of the season, but you only have to look at the starting squad that Pep Guardiola fielded to see how concerned they were about taking all three points after already clinching the title earlier in the month. 

Prior to that they were on a 25-game unbeaten run across all competitions, and a scoring frenzy of 55 goals since the start of March. They have steamrollered their way to silverware, and that’s the very reason why they’re hot favourites (1.56 in 90 minutes) to win at Wembley. 

The FA Cup has been somewhat elusive for the team in blue, though, with just two victories since their success back in 1969. They will be eager to make up for three back-to-back defeats in the semi-final stage.

United's cup history 

Manchester United have won this competition 12 times, but it’s been a while since they made it all the way to the final - and it’s now been the best part of a decade since they last won it (2016). 

But United are categorically the best team in the country when it comes to domestic trophy-lifting having triumphed in the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield 59 times in total. 

This weekend will be their 23rd FA Cup final appearance, and a win (6.2 in 90 minutes) will see them go level with Liverpool’s 68 trophies across all competitions. The Carabao Cup earlier in the campaign was the Red Devils’ 67th. 

Erik ten Hag’s side finished their league season with four wins on the bounce, so won’t be short of confidence in the capital.

Goals galore likely

While other local derbies can be tight and cagey, this one has got goals in it. There have been 17 goals in the last three matches between these sides alone - with both teams scoring in each - and just three 0-0 draws in the last 32 meetings.

Over 1.5 goals have been scored 11 times in the previous 13 games, which is why the ‘Overs/Unders’ and ‘Both teams to score’ markets could be worth a look. 

FA Cup Final Tips

Man City to win and Over 2.5 goals @ 2.34
Both teams to score @ 1.82
City clean sheet – No @ 1.58