MY ACCOUNT
– Manchester City have won all five of this season’s FA Cup ties to nil
– Both teams have scored in only four of Manchester United’s last 15 games in all competitions
– Recommended bet: Manchester City to win 2-0
Premier League champions Manchester City can land the second leg of a potential treble in Saturday’s FA Cup final but opponents Manchester United will be desperate to deny their rivals at Wembley.
United won the league, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999 and their current crop have the chance to complete a domestic cup double in Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge, having beaten Newcastle 2-0 in February’s Carabao Cup final.
The Red Devils are clear underdogs on Saturday against a City side who have not conceded a goal in five FA Cup ties this term although United did win the last Manchester derby, coming from behind to seal a 2-1 league victory at Old Trafford in January.
Team news
Manchester City defenders Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte are fully fit but the champions have injury concerns over Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji.
Forward Anthony Martial has been ruled out for Manchester United, joining Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer on the sidelines.
Winger Antony is struggling with an ankle injury but Luke Shaw is available.
The stats
Manchester City have won all five of this season’s FA Cup ties to nil.
The Citizens have won 18 of their last 22 matches in all competitions.
City have scored at least twice in 13 of their last 15 FA Cup games.
Both teams have scored in only four of Manchester United’s last 15 games in all competitions.
United have won 3-1 in four of their five FA Cup matches this season.
Six of the last nine meetings between the Manchester clubs finished with under 2.5 goals.
Prediction
Manchester City sealed their fifth league title in six seasons with three matches to spare so they should be fresher than opponents Manchester United, who beat Bournemouth, Chelsea and Fulham in the space of eight days to secure third place in the top flight.
United’s attacking plans have been disrupted by Anthony Martial’s injury and they may struggle to land a blow on an outstanding City defence.
The Citizens have beaten Chelsea, Arsenal, Bristol City, Burnley and Sheffield United to nil in this season’s FA Cup and conceded just three times in six Champions League knockout ties, including a penalty from Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich and a long-range stunner from Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.
The fitness doubts over key creative talents De Bruyne and Grealish are a concern, with the Champions League final against Inter Milan looming large, but Pep Guardiola’s men should still be able to control the contest against United and a 2-0 City win is worth a bet.
Back Manchester City to win 2-0, available at 5/1 with LiveScore Bet.
