The FA Cup final is all set for another historic Manchester derby. Wembley Stadium will once again be the battleground as Manchester City and Manchester United clash for the second consecutive year. City, still recovering from their Champions League heartbreak, will be looking to reclaim the trophy they lifted in dominant fashion last season with a brace from İlkay Gündoğan. However, don’t sleep on Ten Hag’s men. As Ten Hag mentioned in his speech last day at Old Trafford, his players will give it all to bring back the cup to the red side of the city.
Although City remains largely unchanged, quite a lot has changed within United since the last time these two sides met each other at the 2023 FA Cup Final. That being said, the match could still go either way. With bragging rights, a coveted trophy, and potential league glory on the line, this Manchester derby promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Manchester City Preview
Manchester City are the most in-form team in England at the moment. They have won their last 5 matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding only one — yes, just the solitary goal. They have had a shaky mid season with the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Kyle Walker, but we all know how they come back with a vengeance at the business end of the season. With one game remaining, Pep Guardiola and his men are looking for their 4th PL title in a row, but once that’s done, Pep will have his sights set on the FA Cup.
With all their key players back from injury, Pep will look to dominate the game with possession-based football. They will build up from the back with short passess, overloading the midfield, and creating space for their wingers and attacking midfielders like Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.
The player to look out for will be Phil Foden. City’s homegrown boy has had the best season of his career. He has taken the mantle with Erling Haland and KDB both missing a big chunk of games throughout the season. Another player worth mentioning would be Rodri. He has bossed the midfield practically every game he has played. While we always talk about his defensive prowess, this season Rodri has managed to make 20 goal contributions. His importance to the team was exposed during his suspension, when City lost all four games without him. Except for the shootout loss to Real Madrid, City has won all matches in the last 15 months in all competitions when Rodri is on the field.
Manchester City Predicted XI:
- Goalkeeper: Stefan Ortega (Ederson is still out with a fractured eye socket)
- Defense: Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Joško Gvardiol
- Midfield: Rodri, Mateo Kovacic , Kevin De Bruyne
- Attack: Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland
Manchester United Preview
Manchester United’s form has been inconsistent all season. They’ve had some impressive results, but also worrying lapses,particularly in defense. Their win against Coventry in the FA Cup semi-final was a prime example, blowing a 3-0 lead before winning on penalties. In their last 5 games they have managed to win only 2 games with 1 draw and 2 losses against Arsenal and Crystal Palace. During these games they have conceded 10 times, scoring only 8. This gives you a lot about their recent form.
However, Ten Hag will be looking to change things. He has provided a powerful speech in the last home game of the season and promised the fans that his players will be out for revenge for the defeat last year. While Erik Ten Hag has tried to implement a smooth transitional playing style with high -pressing. His men have struggled with build-up play. They have also had problems managing counters as they get caught in the break so often.
In terms of numbers, Bruno certainly is the best player in this Man United side. He has bailed out united time and again with his individual brilliance. But the stand out player for Man united this season has been Kobbie Maino.The 18-year old has locked down his place in the starting XI despite being the youngest in the squad. He has delivered stunning goals against Wolves, Liverpool and Newpoert and will b e looking to do magic at the Wembley stadium as well.
Manchester City Predicted XI:
- Goalkeeper: André Onana
- Defense: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Diogo Dalot
- Midfield: Kobbie Mainoo, Sofyan Amrabat, Amad Diallo, Christian Eriksen
- Attack: Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandez
Manchester City VS Manchester United Head-to-Head
Man City has been dominant in recent matches against Man United, winning 4 out of their last 5 encounters. One of these games included a resounding 6-3 victory. They have also achieved the double over their rivals this season. However, Man United will be aiming to alter this trend in the upcoming FA Cup Final. In their overall history, Man United has won 78 out of 192 matches against Man City, while Man City has emerged victorious in 61 matches. The remaining 53 games ended in draws.
Manchester City VS Manchester United Betting Odds
Manchester City 1.33 – Draw 5.50 – 8.00 Manchester United
Betting Tip : Manchester City VS Manchester United Winning Prediction
City is the superior team on paper, boasting a possession-based style that can overwhelm opponents. Their recent win against Chelsea in the semi-final showcases their ability to grind out results even without Erling Haaland. United, on the other hand, has been patchy all season, with defensive lapses a recurring issue. Their reliance on individual brilliance might not be enough against a well-drilled City side.
Based on this season’s performance and current form, there is no reason you shouldn’t consider Manchester City as favorites. On the other hand, Man United has had a very poor season. Our prediction would be a City win with both sides scoring. We expect City to win by a margin of two. But this is the Manchester derby. Anything can happen here!
Remember, this is just a betting tip, and football is known for its surprises. Always do your own research and consider factors like injuries, suspensions, and team news before placing a bet.
Will City secure another trophy and complete a domestic double, or can United pull off a historic upset? The answer awaits us at Wembley Stadium on 25th May .