Manchester City will seek to complete the treble as they on the surprising Watford team in the FA Cup Final!
With the EFL Cup and Premier League now in the bag, Manchester City could become the first team in English football history to win the domestic treble in a single season if they capture the FA Cup trophy. FA Cup currently remains the only English trophy that City have not won under Pep.
Meanwhile, Watford have never won a major trophy in their clubs history and if they pull of the upset it would be their first top tier trophy ever. The closest that Watford have ever came to winning one of the top 3 trophies in England was the 1984 FA Cup where they lost in the Final to Everton, this is going to be their 2nd ever FA Cup final.
Man City have made the FA Cup Final by smashing Rotherham 7-0, Burnley 5-0, Newport 1-4, Swansea 2-3 in what was the closest they were to being knocked out as they had to overcome a 2-0 deficit with 20 mins left and then they defeated Brighton 1-0 in the Semi Final in what was a tightly contested Semi which they overcame by an unusual grind out win for them.
Watford have had quite an emotional run so far eliminating 3 Premier League teams on their way to the Final and also having a special comeback win on the way. Watford defeated Woking 0-2, Newcastle 0-2, QPR 0-1, Crystal Palace 2-1 and then defeated Wolves 3-2 in the Semi Final overcoming a 0-2 deficit with 10 mins left and essentially beating them in Extra Time.
Man City are coming into this game on a ridiculously good run of form winning 28 of their total 30 games in 2019 altogether. City haven’t played quite the free flowing football in recent couple of weeks though only scoring multiple goals in 2 of last 5 games but still winning all of them due to their exceptional form at the back keeping 4 clean sheets in last 5 games. City did get going up front last week though scoring 4 against Brighton to clinch the league title.
Watford have not been in great form coming into this Final only winning 1 of their 6 games since the FA Cup Semi Final and being winless in each of their last 4 losing their last 3 games conceding 9 goals including losing their last 2 games to Chelsea and West Ham 3-0 and 1-4. Now some would say that Watford have let go of the rope a little bit due to this cup Final coming up and haven’t been focusing on the league as seriously as they did prior to this stretch, but it still is a concerning run of form leading up to the cup Final. However sometimes form does go out the window in a game like this and we’ll just have to wait and see whether Watford get back to their best or not.
Sergio Aguero is the man to watch for Man City here. He’s having yet another fantastic season with 32 goals in all competition which is clubs best this season, has scored 2 goals in 2 FA Cup apps this season and has overall got 18 goals in the FA Cup since 2012 which is more than anyone else.
Gerard Deulofeu is the man to watch for Watford. 12 goals across all competitions this season, he’s been in fantastic form lately especially scoring 9 of his total 12 in last 13 apps, got on the scoresheet last week and bagged a brace in the first visit to Wembley this season against Wolves in the Semi Final to lead Watford to the Final.
Man City have owned the recent H2H over Watford winning 10 consecutive meetings putting 32 goals past their Final opponents (3.2 per game) while conceding 6 and basically beating them on average by nearly a 3 goal margin (2.6). Man City won the last 2 FA Cup meetings in 2013 and 2014 by scores 3-0 and 4-2 against Watford. City won both league meetings this season against Watford by scores 1-2 and 3-1.
Man City are MASSIVE favourites to win the game and lift the trophy here. City to win in 90 mins is 1.23 and City to lift the trophy is offered at 1.12 whereas Watford to win the game in 90 mins is a huge long shot 14.50 and them to lift the trophy is 7.00. Draw in 90 mins is offered at 7.00. Considering this City side is arguably the greatest English side ever whereas Watford are a mid table side this definitely is a David vs Goliath type match and anything other than City being champions will be a shock, however the last time that Man City have been to the Final they were also similar type favourites at around odds 1.30 to win and lost to Wigan in 2013 so anything can definitely still happen especially in a Cup Final as unlikely as City losing may sound. These odds are based on Unibet.
Team News
Manchester City: Benjamin Mendy is unavailable for City while Fernandinho is fit to go and Kevin de Bruyne is in contention to be in the squad.
Watford: Jose Holebas will be available despite being sent off last week as his Red Card is rescinded while Gerard Deulofeu will be available despite a picked up knock last week.
Betting Stats
*Stats will be based off Premier League for more accurate representation
Man City have only covered 39.5% of their total goal overs (15-3-20).
Man City have covered 42.1% of their total 1st half goal overs (16-22).
Man City average 1.21 bookings per game (46 bookings in 38 games).
Man City have covered 50% of their Handicaps (19-1-18).
Man City have covered 55.3% of their 1st half Handicaps (21-3-14).
Watford have covered 52.6% of their total goal overs (20-3-15).
Watford have covered 34.2% of their total 1st half goal overs (13-12-13).
Watford average 2.26 bookings per game (86 bookings in 38 games).
Watford have covered 57.9% of their Handicaps (22-1-15).
Watford have covered 42.1% of their 1st half Handicaps (16-6-16).
KICK OFF – 18th May 2019 – 5pm UK Time
.png?v=1.014689135)
