In a historical first, Manchester will see a mass exodus this Saturday as United and City prepare to battle it out in the inaugural all-Manchester FA Cup Final at Wembley.
City, favorites for this match, are ambitiously eyeing a treble, having already demonstrated their supremacy throughout the season. Their adversaries from Old Trafford, however, are not far behind, already boasting a League Cup win and aiming to add another domestic trophy to their collection.
Under Pep Guardiola’s expert guidance, City have been in extraordinary form towards the end of the season, best demonstrated in their comprehensive rout of Arsenal. A slight stumble occurred in the last game against Brentford with a secondary squad, but time after time, City have proven their mettle when the stakes are high.
An impressive series of 18 victories and two draws out of their last 20 games across all competitions is a testament to their dominance. On their way to the FA Cup Final at Wembley, they had to overcome Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea, before dispatching Championship-level teams.
United, in contrast, has had an erratic performance, hampering their chances of consistent success. While they have occasionally showcased glimpses of their potential and can be a force to reckon with on a good day, their unpredictable form remains a cause for concern.
Bookmakers are leaning heavily towards City, who are being given odds of 1/2 by bet365. Meanwhile, United, seen as the underdogs, are placed at a sizeable 27/5 and 19/5 for a draw.
In their recent head-to-head record, City achieved a resounding 6-3 victory over United last October, although United retaliated with a 2-1 win in January. Their last encounter in the FA Cup was over a decade ago, which ended in a 3-2 victory for United.
Key players to watch include Erling Haaland, whose scoring form for City is impressive, netting 58 goals in 57 matches this season. Paddy Power is offering odds of 8/11 for Haaland to score at any time during the match. For United, Marcus Rashford, who has scored 33 goals this season, remains a potent threat despite recent form issues. His last goal came against Chelsea, and bet365 is offering odds of 3/1 for him to find the net at any point during the match.
