FA Cup Final: Manchester City vs. Manchester United Analysis, Prediction, and Betting Tips

Sam Batz

The FA Cup Final between Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC is set to kickoff on Saturday, June 3rd in England’s illustrious Wembley Stadium (10:00 AM EST, ESPN+). The FA Cup began 152 years ago in 1871 and is considered the oldest cup in world soccer. The knockout tournament consists of various stages and is played during the regular season solely amongst the wide array of English clubs. Liverpool is the current champion and Arsenal is the most successful club, with 14 titles, but this year the final will be played between two teams that are quite familiar with each other, Manchester City and Manchester United. It’s called the Manchester Derby, a rivalry almost as old as the FA Cup itself, and on Saturday, one will be crowned the FA Cup champion. 

Manchester City F.C. (-375)

Manchester City are coming off one of the best seasons they’ve ever had, and that’s saying something. In the last 6 years, Man City has won the Premier League 5 times, but in that same stretch, won the FA Cup just once (2019). That was the last time City won the Cup, but this year, they are going for the treble, which consists of winning the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League, a feat only the 1999 Manchester United team has ever achieved. It is the first all Manchester FA Cup Final in history, and although the rivalry is steeped in tightly contested matchups, Man City is heavily favored on Saturday. Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland leads Man City with 52 goals in 51 appearances this season, but the pressure will be dialed up to eleven for both Manchester City and Haaland, who are looking to match their Manchester neighbors incredible 1999 accomplishment. 

Manchester United F.C. (+275)

Manchester United have won the FA Cup 12 times, and on Saturday, the Red Devils will equal Arsenal’s record for the most FA Cup Finals played, with 21 total appearances. The greatness of Manchester United’s legacy cannot be denied, and with a win on Saturday, they will erase Man City’s shot at the treble, and United’s incredible 1999 achievement will remain untouched. However, that is much easier said than done, as Man U is facing arguably the best soccer team in the world on Saturday. United went 1-1 (50.0%) against City in the Prem this season, winning 2-1 in their last matchup, but losing 6-3 in the first. The last time these two met in the FA Cup was in 2012, and they have never once met in the Final, but I expected Manchester United to keep it close by playing fast and loose, as Manchester United has a lot less to lose on Saturday than Manchester City. 

Man City vs. Man United: FA Cup Final Odds

Match Result (End of 90):

Total Goals (Over/Under):

To Lift The FA Cup (Match Winner):

FA Cup Final: Side Bets

• First Team To Score: Man City (-230)

• Half-Time/Full-Time: Man City/Man City (+125)
• Team With Most Corners: Man City (-350)
• Total Cards O/U 4.5: Under (-185) 
• Both Teams To Score: Yes (-140)
• Half-Time Result: Man City (+100)

Man City vs. Man United: FA Cup Final Prediction

Take Manchester City to win the FA Cup Final by the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time (match result). Manchester City has ruled the Premier League in recent years, but haven’t collected much silverware outside their domestic league. This year however, they have an opportunity to win it all. A win in the FA Cup Final would push City one game closer to completing the treble, but look for Man United to make the FA Cup Final an entertaining match. Man U are a much improved side in head coach Erik ten Hag’s first season, but their mettle will be tested against their biggest rivals on Saturday. 

All the pressure is on City, and Man U could sneak out a victory, but that’s only if they can contain Erling Haaland and Man City’s brilliant midfield. So far, not many teams have had much success against City, who have been unstoppable with Pep Guardiola at the helm. The environment inside Wembley Stadium on Saturday will be electric, and both teams are looking to feed off that energy, but regardless of the turnout, United will need to play a perfect game in order to beat the kings of the Premier League. In my opinion, City is too good to bet against, and although their Manchester rivals would disagree, Manchester City is truly the better of the two sides. Take Manchester City to win the FA Cup Final on Saturday. 

Prediction: Manchester City Match Result (-206)

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