The big Manchester City Vs Manchester United FA Cup final preview

Last season, Manchester City completed the second part of their treble by beating Manchester United in the FA Cup final. There isn't a treble on the cards this year for Pep's men but they could secure a double with victory here.

City are once again favourited over their local rivals, sitting at 1/5 to lift their second trophy of the season. As for United, they are 7/2 to win their first domestic trophy of the year.

Man City vs Man United head-to-head

Manchester City have won four of the last five games against their enemies from Old Trafford including a dominant 6-3 victory last year. However, United can find solace knowing that they got the better of their neighbours in a match last year securing a 2-1 victory with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

While derby matches are unpredictable, the Manchester iteration has become a consistent producer of goalmouth action. The last five games between the two sides has produced an average of 4.4 goals per game, so the odds of over 3.5 goals with BetUK is a generous 6/5.

Man City vs Man United key battles

Anytime Manchester City take to the field this season, the primary battle is stopping Erling Haaland finding the net, to which many few have found success.

The unstoppable Norwegian has catapulted the Citizens to another league title - netting over 25 goals - while he’s also pitched in with five goals in two games on City’s run to the cup final. As always, he’ll be a safe option to add to your Bet Builder.

Haaland’s main adversary at Wembley will likely be Harry Maguire. The central defender has come under heavy criticism in recent seasons. However, when Maguire is at his best, the Man United defence looks stronger. They've kept 60 clean sheets in 241 appearances with Maguire in the side, winning 45% of games where the Englishman plays. This season, that win percentage has increased to 50% and they have kept four out of their nine clean sheets with Maguire in the side.

We can also look forward to a battle of two masterful midfielders as Kevin De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes square off on the Wembley turf.

The Belgian has often mesmerised this season with his pinpoint precision passing, leading to an assist every 118 minutes in the Premier League at the time of writing.

Similarly, City’s maestro knows how to make his presence felt in a Manchester derby. In his last five appearances in games between the sides, De Bruyne has recorded seven goal contributions (five assists and two goals).

The man entrusted to break-up City’s midfield synchronicity is Casemiro. United’s Brazilian is the crucial linchpin at the base of their midfield, with a combined 3.9 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes.

Whether he’ll be able to stop the Citizens’ supply line is a difficult question, but you can guarantee it’ll be a must-watch battle.

Our FA Cup Final Tips

Manchester City and Manchester United face off in the FA Cup final on Saturday and City are expected to dominate their neighbours and rivals.

Pep Guardiola’s men were crowned Premier League champions on Sunday, while United slumped to eighth place on the final day. The betting doesn’t appear to anticipate the Red Devils shining at Wembley.

City are 7/25 to win the final in 90 minutes, with United 8/1 shots and the draw available at 19/4.

We have a bet builder play to consider for Saturday's showdown in the capital.

Manchester City v Manchester United

Manchester City to win, Manchester City to score over 2.5 goals & Phil Foden to score

Manchester City made it four straight Premier League titles last Sunday and the Citizens ended the campaign unbeaten in their last 23 top-flight matches.

Guardiola’s men won their last nine league games to thwart title rivals Arsenal, and while City finished top of the league, they are also in a different league to their neighbours United.

The Red Devils have won only three of their last 12 matches inside 90 minutes and Erik ten Hag’s men struggled past Championship side Coventry in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Conceding three goals and needing a penalty shootout to get past a second-tier side is not the best of looks, especially when you consider the monumental task the Red Devils are likely to face at Wembley on Saturday.

Results haven’t been good for the Old Trafford side, and performances have been even worse. United shipped four goals against Crystal Palace, four when travelling to Chelsea, three when meeting Coventry in the cup and even Premier League bottom-dwellers Sheffield United found the net twice when visiting Old Trafford.

Clearly, injuries haven’t helped the Red Devils' cause, but Ten Hag’s men will take on the best team in the country next, and it’s difficult to see United keeping the scoreline respectable, never mind winning.

Manchester City hit 27 shots, 15 corners, created an expected goals tally of 3.33 and registered 73 per cent possession when beating United 3-1 at the Etihad earlier in the campaign and a switch to Wembley is unlikely to be enough to prevent a similarly dominant Citizens display.

City can be backed to win in 90 minutes, Guardiola’s men should be supported to score at least three goals and Phil Foden, who has hit nine goals in as many City appearances, can get on the scoresheet. A bet builder combining those three selections pays 5/2 and that looks a solid way to attack Saturday’s Wembley showdown.

All odds correct at time of publication