The 2023/24 FA Cup final is set to play out at Wembley on Saturday, May 25 at 3 pm BST and sees Manchester City take on cross-town rivals, Manchester United.
Manchester City head into the game as 1/3 favourites to secure the win in 90 minutes, while the Red Devils can be backed at 15/2 to do so.
The Sky Blues are the current FA Cup holders and are looking to complete a league and cup double to end their season, while United are aiming to win the competition for the first time since 2016.
Manchester City vs Manchester United
Manchester City have dominated the English game since Pep Guardiola’s arrival, and while the FA Cup has not been their most fruitful competition under the Spaniard, they are the current holders after beating United at this stage last campaign.
To reach the FA Cup final, Manchester City beat Huddersfield Town in the 3rd round, Tottenham Hotspur in the 4th, Luton Town in the 5th, Newcastle United in the quarter-final and Chelsea in the semi-finals. The Sky Blues kept clean sheets in four of those five outings, only conceding two versus Luton in the 5th round.
As for Manchester United, they had a somewhat easier run to the final, only facing Premier League opposition twice. They beat Wigan in the 3rd round, Newport County in the 4th round, Nottingham Forest in the 5th round, Liverpool in the quarter-finals and Coventry City in the semis.
Manchester City vs Manchester United betting stats
Here are some key Manchester City and Manchester United stats to keep in mind as you prepare to make your selections ahead of the game:
- This match is a repeat of last year’s FA Cup final, where Manchester City beat Manchester United 2-1 to complete the second part of their historic Treble. It’s the second time in FA Cup history the same fixture has been played in the final in consecutive years, after Blackburn Rovers vs Queen’s Park in 1884 and 1885.
- Manchester City have won both Premier League meetings with Manchester United this season, beating them 3-0 at Old Trafford and 3-1 at the Etihad. The last time they beat their neighbours three times in the same campaign was in 1969/70.
- City could complete the league and FA Cup double for the third time, something only previously achieved by Manchester United (1993/94, 1995/96 and 1998/99) and Arsenal (1970/71, 1997/98 and 2001/02). They did so in 2018/19 and 2022/23, and could become the first team to do so in consecutive campaigns.
- Manchester United are looking to win the FA Cup for the 13th time, a number bettered only by Arsenal (14).
- United have lost 19 games and conceded 84 goals in all competitions this season. They last lost 20 in a campaign in 1973/74 (22) and last conceded more than 84 in 1963-64 (89).
- The Red Devils have won five of their past seven FA Cup games against Manchester City. However, both defeats in that run have come in games at Wembley Stadium (2011 semi-final, 2023 final).
- With Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag meeting in the showpiece last year, this is the first time a pair of league managers has gone head-to-head in more than one FA Cup final (excluding replays).
Manchester City vs Manchester United Top Tip
- Erling Haaland has six goals in five appearances versus Manchester United. Only against Wolves - eight in four - has the Norweigan scored more goals in fewer games.
Today’s Football Tips
There is no English football taking place today but there is one La Liga tie, as Girona face off with Granada.
Granada travel to Girona on Friday evening, and we’ve got it covered with our bet builder of the day article, while for those of you looking to place an acca, we have our acca of the day lined up and ready to go.
This week’s best free bets and enhanced offers
Get 40/1 on England to win v Serbia at Euro 2024
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