It’s a clash between two giant clubs in dire need of ending the season with a trophy, as Manchester United tangles with Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. Chelsea finished a disappointing fifth this season after claiming the Premier League title during the previous campaign.
United claimed runners-up status in the Premier League table, but still finished a whopping 19 points behind runaway title winners Manchester City. For the Red Devils, it’s a massive improvement over the previous term’s sixth place finish, but they still haven’t claimed a trophy this year, and that’s a big disappointment, given how they won the EFL Cup and Europa League titles (plus the Community Shield) in 2016-17.
Let’s take a look at who United manager Jose Mourinho may select in his first team for this one. (With input potentially from newly minted assistant coach Michael Carrick too)
The Sports Bank MUFC Starting XI Prediction 4-3-3
Alexis Sanchez Marcus Rashford Jesse Lingard
Paul Pogba Nemanja Matic Ander Herrera
Ashley Young Eric Bailly Chris Smalling Antonio Valencia
David de Gea
FA Cup Final Odds via BetFair: Man Utd 8/5, Chelsea 19/10
Kickoff: 5:15 Local
Chelsea Starting XI Prediction: coming soon
FA Cup Injury and Fitness Report for both teams: coming soon
Prediction: United 3, Chelsea 2
This will be a clash between two managers with tremendous self-confidence, and extremely high ambitions. The history of personal acrimony between the two bosses only serves to make this contest even more competitive. With Chelsea boss Antonio Conte likely on the way out, it appears that Mourinho will have the finer edge for this blockbuster match, and thus we’re pegging him to guide his side to victory.
Also, the Portugese has a tremendous track record in contests such as these. He’s won 12 of 14 cup finals since claiming the UEFA Cup with Porto in 2003.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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