MY ACCOUNT
Recommended bets:
– Back Kevin De Bruyne to score first
– Back Alejandro Garnacho to have one or more shots on target
– Back Man Utd over 2.5 total cards
– Back No goal scored between 76th minute and full time
– Back Casemiro to receive a red card
Treble-chasing Manchester City face derby rivals Manchester United in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley and we have picked out five bets worth considering in the side markets.
Back Kevin De Bruyne to score first at 8/1
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland dominates the goalscorer markets but teammate Kevin De Bruyne has starred in many of City’s high-profile games this season.
De Bruyne looks a big price to open the scoring, as he did in both of this term’s Premier League showdowns with title challengers Arsenal.
The Belgian scored a glorious equaliser in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid and also notched against Liverpool in the league in April.
Despite only coming on as a 55th-minute substitute in City’s last FA Cup final, the 6-0 rout of Watford in May 2019, De Bruyne scored and was named man of the match.
Back Alejandro Garnacho to have one or more shots on target at 5/4
Anthony Martial’s injury could mean a start for Manchester United teenager Alejandro Garnacho, whose performances this season suggest he is likely to relish the occasion.
Garnacho scored a brilliant last-ditch winner against Fulham in November and also came off the bench to net in 2023 league victories over Leeds and Wolves.
He had four shots, including one on target and one against the post, in 67 minutes against the Cottagers at Old Trafford last weekend and the lively winger is worth backing to test City’s goalkeeper at Wembley.
Back Man Utd over 2.5 total cards at 11/10
Manchester City had more than 70 per cent of possession in their last derby clash with Manchester United, a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in January, so United’s players will be determined to disrupt the champions’ rhythm at Wembley.
Over 2.5 United cards looks a solid bet at odds-against bearing in mind that they picked up six bookings in February’s EFL Cup final win over Newcastle and three in each of their league meetings with City this season.
Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Casemiro were all cautioned in the FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton and the robust Red Devils could keep referee Paul Tierney busy on Saturday.
Back No goal scored between 76th minute and full time at 5/6
United’s goals in the EFL Cup final against Newcastle came in the 33rd and 39th minutes while the last goal in City’s 3-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Sheffield United was Riyad Mahrez’s hat-trick strike in the 66th minute.
Pep Guardiola immediately brought off Haaland and Jack Grealish once that goal went in and it could be a similar story if City have a comfortable advantage going into the final 15 minutes on Saturday.
With next week’s Champions League final looming large, Guardiola would be happy to close out the game without suffering unnecessary injuries or fatigue so the odds about no goal after the 76th minute look appealing.
Back Casemiro to receive a red card at 25/1
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro has had an excellent first season at United, when he has not been suspended, but his disciplinary record is a concern for Erik ten Hag.
The 25/1 that Casemiro is shown a third red card of his United career is worth a small bet.
He was sent off against Crystal Palace and Southampton in the Premier League and has also picked up 11 bookings since the World Cup, including one in the league win over City and another in the EFL Cup final.
He was cautioned in the semi-final against Brighton, making seven tackles in 120 minutes, and the Citizens’ slick passing football means Casemiro will be under pressure to time his challenges to perfection.
