What do 1983-84 Liverpool, 2000-01 Liverpool and 1998-99 Manchester United have in common? They all won trebles, by claiming one European and two domestic trophies. No one has ever gotten into treble territory on domestic squabbles alone, but Manchester City can achieve it Saturday, should they beat Watford FC in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
Regardless of the weekend result, City are already in rarified air, having followed up last year’s record breaking Premier League season points total by achieving the second most (100 last year, 98 this year).
Having won the Premier League and League Cup last season, and both of those trophies again this season, City have become just the fourth English club to win multiple trophies in back-to-back seasons.
Let’s take a look at who City manager Pep Guardiola may select in his first team, as he seeks to further fill up the trophy case. Just make sure Noel Gallagher is on hand, and have your phones ready for selfies with the irascible, outspoken Oasis legend.
The Bank Manchester City Starting XI Prediction FA Cup Final vs Watford FC
Forwards: Raheem Sterling Sergio Aguero Riyad Mahrez
Midfielders: David Silva Ilkay Gundogan Bernardo Silva
Defenders: Oleksandr Zinchenko Vincent Kompany Aymeric Laporte Kyle Walker
Goalkeeper: Ederson
Manchester City vs Watford FC FA Cup Final FYIs
Kickoff- Saturday May 18, Wembley Stadium 5pm
Injury report for both sides: go to this link
Referee: Kevin Friend
VAR: Andre Marriner
Odds via Betfair: Manchester City 1/5, Draw 6/1, Watford FC 14/1
Prediction: Manchester City 2, Watford FC 1
No, the unprecedented quadruple didn’t happen, but at least City will become the second team in Manchester to accomplish a treble. 2018-19 Manchester City is a club that will be talked about for ages.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, also contributes to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.