Man City vs Man Utd FA Cup final tips and predictions: Winning build-a-bet and Phil Foden to score

Manchester will descend on Wembley this Saturday, as rivals Man City and Man Utd clash in the FA Cup final for the second consecutive season.

Ilkay Gundogan struck inside 60 seconds on his farewell tour before adding a second in the 51st minute, sealing the FA Cup and setting up an historic Treble.

United know a thing or two about Trebles, yet their worrying decline means they have been trophyless since the 2016/17 season when they captured the Europa League.

On the other hand, Guardiola’s side has bagged six Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups, the Champions League, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

Success is demanded at the Etihad, while abject times are almost expected across the divide. However, a Manchester derby is a one-off occasion that still holds bragging rights.

 

 

Yet you have to go back to 2020 and beyond to find the last time the Reds regularly landed a blow in this never-ending scrap, and they’ve lost both meetings this season.

City produced a whopping 7.33xG across two meetings, compared to United’s 1.20, romping to a 3-0 win at Old Trafford and a 3-1 win at the Etihad.

Most teams have created scores of chances against Erik ten Hag’s team and aside from the obvious issues, injuries have had a major impact on their ability to keep teams out.

Casemiro’s ill-fated spell in defence should end with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez forming a partnership in front of Andre Onana.

Still, the former hasn’t covered himself in glory, and the latter recently returned from a lengthy injury absence. There’s no case to be made for a clean sheet.

 

 

It’s hard to see how they prevent City from scoring two or more on current form. They’ve found the net at least twice in each of their last nine, and four or more times in six matches.

Erling Haaland’s contribution of nine goals was so nearly matched by Phil Foden, who contributed eight but arguably stole the show with his performances.

That same duo have scored 12 of City’s last 12 Premier League goals against United, including three apiece in this season’s meetings.

That could be an angle to exploit, but it isn’t the only one. City’s tendency to operate in wide areas, coupled with their domination of recent meetings, has led to scores of corners.

They’ve racked up 17 across two meetings, with United chipping in with nine of their own, so we think we can utilise some of the build-a-bet options on Planet Sport Bet.

Emma's offer: Bet £10, Get £5 free bet if Man City win in 90 mins

 

Team news

Stefan Ortega will keep his place in goal due to Ederson’s injury.

Haaland and Foden will likely be joined by Kevin De Bruyne and either Bernardo Silva or Jeremy Doku in attack.

Varane and Martinez’s return may seem them partner at the back with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot flanking them.

United’s youthful quartet of Rasmus Hojlund, Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are expected to start.

 

Key stats

- Man City beat Man Utd 3-1 at home and 3-0 away in this season’s Premier League
- Man City beat Man Utd 2-1 in last year’s FA Cup final with goals from Gundogan
- Erling Haaland scored nine goals in City’s last nine Premier League matches
- Phil Foden scored eight goals in City’s last eight Premier League matches
- There have been 27 goals scored in the last six meetings
- Only Sir Alex Ferguson and Ron Atkinson have contested more Wembley finals as United manager than Erik ten Hag
- Man Utd have won their last two matches, beating Newcastle and Brighton
- Hojlund scored in each of those, taking his tally to 16 goals this campaign

 

Suggested bets

Build-a-Bet: Over 2.5 goals, Over 11.5 corners & Over 3.5 cards

Phil Foden to score a goal

Man City -1.5 Asian handicap