FA Cup Tips & Predictions

LAST year saw the first ever all-Manchester contested FA Cup Final. Now the two cross-city rivals meet again for an appetising Wembley showpiece re-match.

Will favourites Manchester City cement the League and Cup double? Or can Manchester United defy FA Cup betting patterns? 

Here is my in-depth preview and considered score prediction to assist your live betting …

SATURDAY 25 MAY 2024

The Emirates FA Cup Final - Manchester City v Manchester United  - Kick-off 3pm at Wembley Stadium (Live on BBC One & ITV1).

SEMI-FINAL REVIEW

Saturday 20th April 2024 - Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea

Bernardo Silva’s close range left footed effort with six minutes remaining sent Manchester City to the Final. Attendance 80,902 at Wembley Stadium.

Sunday 21st April 2024 - Coventry City 3-3 Manchester United (After extra-time, Manchester United won 4-2 on penalties).

Manchester United raced into a seemingly unassailable 3-0 lead courtesy of Scott McTominay (23 minutes), Harry Maguire (45+1 mins) and Bruno Fernandes (58 mins). But the Championship underdogs Coventry City somehow rallied as Ellis Simms (71 mins), Callum O'Hare (79 mins) and Haji Wright (90+5 mins penalty) sensationally filled their scoresheet. Matters stayed equal until the end of extra-time before United edged the shoot-out lottery 4-2. Attendance 83,672 at Wembley Stadium.

PREMIER LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD

Sunday 29th October 2023 - Manchester United 0- 3 Manchester City

A comfortable away day success for City featuring goals by Erling Haaland two (26 penalty and 49 minutes) and Phil Foden (80 mins). Attendance: 73,502.

Sunday 3rd March 2024 - Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United

Another cruise for City. Their marksmen were Phil Foden two (56 and 80 minutes) and Erling Haaland (90+1 mins). United actually opened the scoring through Marcus Rashford (8 mins). Attendance: 55,097

PAST FA CUP PEDIGREE

It is Manchester City’s 13th FA Cup Final - winning seven and losing five of the previous 12.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are appearing in a 22nd FA Cup Final – more than any other club in our great competition’s existence – incorporating United lifting the coveted trophy 12 times in total.

CLASSIC FA CUP FINALS

2018/19 - Manchester City 6–0 Watford

Manchester City clinched a magnificent domestic treble of Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in the same campaign. City’s goalscorers here were David Silva (26 minutes), Gabriel Jesus two (38 and 68 mins), Kevin De Bruyne (61 mins), Raheem Sterling two (81 and 87 mins). This is the joint largest FA Cup Final scoreline margin dating right back to Bury trouncing Derby County 6-0 in 1903 at the original Crystal Palace stadium.

1993/94  - Manchester United 4–0 Chelsea

Following a tense initial period, United dramatically took control during the second half by virtue of Eric Cantona two (60 and 66 minutes, both penalties), Mark Hughes (69 mins) and Brian McClair (90+2 mins).

MANCHESTER CITY FACT FILE

Final position in the Premier League: 1st 

Current form: Manchester City only lost three Premier League games all season. Their last EPL defeat was 1-0 at Aston Villa on Wednesday 6th December 2023. Furthermore, City triumphed in the concluding nine League fixtures of 2023/24.    

Last result in the Premier League: Sunday 19th May 2024 - Manchester City 3-1 West Ham United

Phil Foden two (2 and 18 minutes) and Rodri (59 mins) were on target as Manchester City sealed the Premier League crown thereby becoming the first team to win the English League title four seasons in a row.

Leading scorer: Erling Haaland – 38 League and Cup goals.

MANCHESTER UNITED FACT FILE

Final position in the Premier League: 8th 

Current form: Manchester United won the closing two Premier League encounters overturning three outings bereft of victory. 

Last result in the Premier League: Sunday 19th May 2024 - Brighton & Hove Albion 0-2 Manchester United

Late conversions via Diogo Dalot (73 minutes) and Rasmus Hojlund (88 mins) meant Manchester United finished Premier League duties on a positive note. However, eighth position is United’s all-time worst EPL placing - some 31 points below top spot.

Leading scorer: Rasmus Hojlund – 16 League and Cup goals.

LAST YEAR’S FINAL

Saturday 3rd June 2023 - Manchester City 2 Manchester United 1 (Attendance 83,179 at Wembley Stadium).

It delivered the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history - Ilkay Gundogan for Manchester City after just 12 seconds. Typically muscular Erling Haaland aerial approach play led to Gundogan expertly unleashing a quicksilver 25 yard volley rising into the right hand corner. Gundogan supplied City’s second too six minutes beyond half-time. Bruno Fernandes netted for Manchester United from a penalty on 33 minutes. 

SCORE PREDICTION

City untouchable 2-0.

Free FA Cup Predictions Today

The FA Cup is the oldest and most prestigious competition in world football, with millions of fans around the world tuning in each year to see which team lifts the famous trophy.

Punters can find the latest FA Cup betting odds ahead of each round here at 888sport – and the outright winner market will change drastically throughout the tournament.

One of the main reasons for that is due to the uncertainty of the FA Cup draw. As is the case with all cup competitions, the draw has a major impact on results.

From the best FA Cup facts to the competition's greatest moments, this tournament has a unique affinity with football supporters across the land. While greater emphasis is now placed on Europe, the FA Cup remains one of the top targets for the biggest clubs in England.

FA Cup Betting Tips

The ‘David vs Goliath’ nature of the FA Cup is what grips viewers and we’ve seen many ‘cupsets’ over the years, none bigger than Hereford United’s victory over Newcastle United in 1972.

FA Cup predictions can be made at any stage of the season, with the general outlook of the competition changing with each round and FA Cup result.

Find the latest FA Cup draw, fixtures and results information on the 888sport website ahead of each round. Every match is vital in the race to reach Wembley Stadium.

The FA Cup is one of the competitions that every supporter wants to win. While the magic of the cup has waned in recent times, it is still important to football fans across the country.

FA Cup Round Predictions

Punters can find the best FA Cup betting tips and odds here at 888sport throughout the competition. Who will be celebrating at Wembley Stadium in May? Only time will tell...

Our football betting experts are here with the best FA Cup tips for today. With the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal prominent in FA Cup betting, the top Premier League clubs are in the mix for success.

While the FA Cup can throw up the odd sports betting shock, FA Cup predictions are often more straightforward than Premier League predictions. Find the best free FA Cup tips here today.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*

*Odds correct at the time of writing - subject to change*