For the first time in tournament history, there will be an all-Manchester FA Cup Final on Saturday, June 3rd 2023. And with the two rivals set for another derby in the rainy city, it's only right that we take the time to make some far-too-early predictions.
Following a perfect 7-for-7 performance from the penalty spot, United took the win from a goalless game against Brighton in the FA Cup semifinals This victory billed the Cup Final matchup after the Man City vs Sheffield United matchup a day earlier. Slated for June 3rd 2023 at Wembley Stadium, London, the game is set to be a thrilling showdown between two sides that have both seen their fair share of victories this season.
Despite the surprising success of Manchester United this season, the sportsbooks currently have Man City as the favourites to lift the trophy.
Odds to win:
Manchester City: -275
Manchester United: +200
The odds leaning in City's favour comes as no surprise as the side looks prepped to take the 2023 Premier League title and is also just one win away from the Champions League Final. But, as with any game, you never know what could happen and United certainly have the talent to steal a surprise win from the favourites. So with that being said, let's get into some predictions for the 2023 FA Cup Final.
Moneyline
Perhaps the most popular FA Cup bet is the Moneyline. As we know already, Man City are expected to win this as heavy favourites in the odds, but why?
Well, for one thing, they are yet to concede a single goal in the competition, having outscored their five opponents 17-0... Talk about clean sheets! Averaging over 3 goals a game while holding strong at the back line is no easy feat, so if they stay in the same form, it would be a shock to see them lose.
Meanwhile, United were lucky to leave with a win over Brighton in the FA Cup Semi Final matchup, given they had less time of possession, fewer attempts on goal and fewer expected goals. If they don't perform better at Wembley it's unlikely they'll be lifting the trophy.
As much as I love an underdog story, the prediction here is clear...
Moneyline Prediction: Manchester City to Win (-275)
Total Goals
The way Erling Haaland is playing leads me to believe this should be a goal fest from him alone. The star striker has broken the all-time single-season scoring record in the Premier League, hitting sports news headlines around the world, and he's also had a big part to play in the FA Cup success, scoring three goals in the last three matches.
What's more? Riyad Mahrez has had a huge impact on the scorelines, as he's found the back of the net in each of the last five games with assists coming from Phil Foden and
On the other hand, United hasn't been a scoring machine by any means, failing to break the 2-goal mark in most of their matchups this year. While they have the potential to put in a good performance, City's defensive prowess is likely to keep them from scoring. A 7-0 loss to Liverpool is definitely the lowlight of United's season, let's just hope things don't get that embarrassing again.
Total Goals Prediction: Over 3.5 (+110)
Correct Score
Manchester City have gone 24 games without allowing a single opponent to score more than one goal. Meanwhile, they are averaging over 3 goals a game in their current FA Cup run.
On the other hand, United are far less consistent and predictable. They've conceded more than 2 goals in many of their matchups, but have also proven to be clinical finishers themselves, winning games by 3 or 4 goals on multiple occasions.
This is a tough one to call, but hoping our total goal prediction pays off, here's our thoughts on the correct score.
Correct Score Prediction: City 4-1 United (+1600)
So, there you have it. Our take on the predictions, odds and more for the FA Cup Final. Did we miss something? Did we get it completely wrong? Let us know on social media - Twitter & Instagram.
Tune into BBC or ITV on Saturday June 3rd 2023 to watch the matchup.
