FA Cup: This is the Showpiece of All Showpieces

Manchester City vs Manchester United

It is the showpiece of the English football season, the grandest stage of all, the most prestigious and romantic cup competition of them all.

Throw in the various subplots and the fact that the 2023 FA Cup Final is the first ever major cup final between Manchester’s finest and the stakes go up several notches. In fact, they could barely be higher.

In the blue corner are the newly crowned champions – for a record equalling third year in succession – and a side trying to emulate the finest achievement ever by an English football team.

In the red corner are their neighbours and city rivals – the record 20-time champions of England – whose achievement stands unsurpassed in the English game.

They will want it to stay that way too, even if the Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is correct when he states that Saturday’s final is not about stopping Manchester City’s treble hopes, rather an opportunity to clinch their own piece of silverware.

So, with an array of stars on show at Wembley Stadium and the final now restored, for this year at least to its traditional 3pm kick-off time, we are all set for the 190^th Manchester derby.

Talking Points

Both teams are chasing their second piece of silverware of the season.

Erik ten Hag has worked wonders in his first season at Old Trafford, adding some genuine substance (and the League Cup) after a few horrendous years, most notably last season when English football’s biggest club was hopelessly adrift and in desperate need of leadership on and off the pitch.

This Saturday, United are without key men in Lisandro Martinez and Anthony Martial, while there is a doubt over Brazilian winger Antony.

City have no such concerns and should be largely at full strength as they aim for a league and cup double following the Premier League title they clinched a week and a half ago.

They will also contest the Champions League against Italian underdogs Inter Milan on June 10.

Both teams have created FA Cup 2023 highlights along the road to Wembley this season and no one can say they have done it the easy way.

City dispatched Chelsea and Arsenal in the third and fourth rounds respectively, while United have faced Premier League opposition in all but one round with Everton, West Ham, Fulham and Brighton all dispatched en route.

Now for the defining moment.

History

United have the edge historically, winning 78 of their meetings compared to City’s 57 triumphs and 53 draws.

Last season the difference in class was embarrassing.

In November 2021, an early own goal and a Bernardo Silva second in the opening 45 minutes sealed a 2-0 win for City in a contest that was far more comfortable than the scoreline suggested.

It proved to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final home match in charge.

Four months later, with Ralf Rangnick in interim charge of the Red Devils, City ran out 4-1 winners, thanks to doubles from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez.

Jadon Sancho had briefly drawn United level.

It appeared to be the same scenario in early October when hat-tricks from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden fired the Blues to a 6-3 success – a scoreline that flattered United who were 6-1 down until two goals in the final moments from substitute Martial.

The tide was turned in January in thrilling (and controversial) fashion at Old Trafford.

On that occasion, Jack Grealish had given City the lead just before the hour mark but two goals in the final 11 minutes from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford turned the match around amid a fervent atmosphere.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP FA Cup 2023 betting odds are very one-sided.

City can be backed 1X2 @ 1.46 and Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.36, whereas a repeat of their 1-0 semi-final victory over United from 2011 will pay out @ 7.40 with Correct Score.

United are priced 1X2 @ 5.40 and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.16, while a repeat of their most recent Manchester derby FA Cup clash – a 3-2 success in 2012 – is on offer @ 70.00.

Double Chance United or Draw is available at a very attractive @ 2.48.

If you opt for the 1X2 draw after normal time, then 1X2 @ 4.40 will appeal.

Few expect this to be goalless, which would explain odds of Total Goal 0-1 @ 4.40, 4-6 @ 2.69 and Over 3.00 goals @ 2.02.

I do think there will be goals but not too many.

 

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