Manchester City will look to complete the second part of a potential treble as they take on Chelsea in the final of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon at Wembley.
Manchester City moved within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal on Wednesday night as they secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Conference League finalists Crystal Palace.
Pep Guardiola’s men are now unbeaten in each of their previous nine matches in all competitions (W8-D1-L0) – a run which was started by winning the Carabao Cup final at Wembley over Arsenal.
However, the Cityzens did make heavy weather of reaching the FA Cup final, as they required a couple of late goals to squeeze past Championship side Southampton after falling behind in the 79th minute.
Chelsea managed to put a halt to their six-game losing streak in the Premier League last weekend, as they drew 1-1 at Anfield against Champions League-chasing Liverpool.
The Blues have now won just two of their last 11 matches in all competitions (W2-D1-L8), but both of those victories did come in this competition, including a 1-0 win over Leeds United in the semi-finals.
How the bookies view it: City favourites
As expected, Manchester City are expected to do a cup double, with bet365 pricing the Cityzens at just 4/11 To Lift the Trophy, whilst the win inside 90 minutes is a more backable 7/10.
The Blues are 11/5 underdogs to claim their ninth FA Cup, with the win inside regulation time 15/4.
Head to head: City have gotten their revenge over the Blues
After defeating Manchester City in the Champions League final in 2021, Chelsea have failed to win any of their next 13 meetings against Pep Guardiola’s men, losing 10 of them (W0-D3-L10).
The most recent of those defeats came just last month, as City won 0-3 at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League.
Players to watch: Doku to deliver again?
Jeremy Doku did the business for me against Brentford last weekend, as he scored a stunning opener in City’s 3-0 win, on an evening both of my selections landed.
The Belgian winger has now scored five goals and provided two assists across his last seven appearances for the Cityzens – including a goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month – and is an appealing 6/5 to Score or Assist at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Chelsea are still without the injured Estevao, Jesse Derry and Jamie Gittens, but Robert Sanchez, Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho should all be available.
Manchester City are almost at full strength, with Rodri being the only doubt.
Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Santos, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Fernandez, Pedro
Manchester City: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Gvardiol, Foden, Silva, Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland
Anything else catch the eye?
Given the contrasting form both of these sides arrive into this clash in, it's hard to envisage anything other than a Manchester City win.
The Cityzens have won eight and drawn one of their last nine matches in all competitions, whilst Chelsea’s only two wins in the last 11 have come against League Two-bound Port Vale and Leeds United.
Moises Caicedo has been booked 15 times and been sent off once for the Blues this season – including cards in each of his last three appearances – and is 8/5 at bet365 to pick up another card.
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