Manchester City are looking to write their names in the history books this Saturday. No team has ever claimed a domestic treble in the history of English soccer, and the Citizens can become the first if they beat Watford in the FA Cup Final on Saturday. City have already claimed the Carabao Cup this season, and they just won the Premier League over Liverpool after a brief scare against Brighton and Hove Albion last week. Manchester City are heavy favorites to make it three trophies this season.
Don’t miss the FA Cup Final from Wembley Stadium in London at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 18, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN Plus.
FA Cup Final Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Manchester City -473
Watford FC +1215
Draw +573
Over/Under 3
How They Got Here
Watford had a very respectable Premier League campaign, and the Hornets are in the FA Cup Final for the second time in their history. They finished runner-up to Manchester United 35 years ago, and they are out to beat the other club from Manchester this time around.
The Hornets started their FA Cup campaign in the third round and beat sixth-tier side Woking handily. They followed that up with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United in St. James’ Park, and they shut out Queens Park Rangers on the road in the Round of 16. Watford were finally able to host a match in the quarterfinals, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 and they pulled off a miracle comeback against Wolverhampton in the semifinals after trailing 2-0 with 15 minutes left to play.
Manchester City have mostly routed their competition in the FA Cup, just like they did in the Premier League. City clobbered Rotherham United 7-0 in the third round, and they followed that up with a 5-0 win over Burnley. Newport County at least scored a goal against City, but it wasn’t enough as City won 4-1 in the Round of 16. The Citizens finally got a real test in the quarterfinals, trailing Swansea City 2-0 midway through the second half, but they scored three goals in 19 minutes to advance. Gabriel Jesus scored early in the semifinals to lead City past Brighton and into the FA Cup Final.
Key Injuries
Benjamin Mendy and Claudio Bravo are long-term injuries for the side of Manchester City. Fernandinho suffered a knee injury a few weeks ago, and he is considered doubtful to play against Watford on Saturday, but Kevin De Bruyne should be able to go.
Watford received a boost when it was announced that Jose Holebas’ latest red card was overturned, and that he would be able to play in the FA Cup Final. Unfortunately, Domingos Quina and Sebastian Prodl will both miss the match due to injury.
Player to Watch
Since joining the club in 2011, no player has been more synonymous with Manchester City than Sergio Aguero. Aguero has scored 231 goals for the Citizens, more than any other player in club history. It was only right that he was the club’s leading scorer in the regular season, and it was he that leveled with Brighton shortly after Glenn Murray put the Seagulls ahead last weekend. Aguero will look to take City to new heights on Saturday.
Prop Bet – Over 3.5 Goals +128
I think that City are going to win, and they are going to win flashy. Watford have allowed five goals in their two previous meetings with City, and the Hornets have found the back of the net in each of their three previous games. Four or more goals at these odds is good value.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
City needed some adversity after a dominant season, and they received it with the news that they are facing a Champions League ban next year. That will give this team focus and the motivation they need to hammer Watford for their third trophy this season.
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