Updated:
Jun 13, 2023 1:41 pm
Manchester City takes on Manchester United in the 2023 FA Cup final this Saturday, with Pep Guardiola’s team looking for the win that will see them land the second leg of a possible treble.
The blue half of Manchester is looking to become only the second team in history to complete the treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, in the same season. They already have the Premier League title in the bag, and the FA Cup is their second challenge.
It’s THREE in a row for Pep Guardiola! 🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/w4iY31ucHM— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 20, 2023
Betting on Manchester City to win the treble
The bookmakers certainly think that Manchester City has a great chance of achieving the treble. With the Premier League already won, Manchester City is just -200 to win both the FA Cup and the Champions League. As football bets go, those odds are very short on City completing the treble.
While in the latest FA Cup betting, Manchester City are -225 to win in 90 minutes. Manchester United is +500, with the draw at +330. Finally, in the betting to lift the FA Cup, City is just -400, with United at +300.
The last English side to complete the treble was?
The last and only English team to complete the treble that Manchester City is attempting is Manchester United. Back in 1999, led by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
This year is the closest any team has come to replicating that achievement. Both Liverpool and Manchester City were in with a chance in recent years, but so far no team has managed it.
A Manchester Derby like no other
All Manchester Derby matches are big, as are all FA Cup finals. But this match has even more riding on its outcome. The implications are simply huge.
It’s in the hands of Manchester City to win the treble. But it’s also in the hands of Manchester United to prevent it happening. And if United can prevent City winning, they will maintain their record as the only English side to have completed the treble.
It’s debatable if there has ever been a bigger Manchester Derby in history than the one that is about to take place.
One last glimmer of hope for United’s record
If Manchester United can’t stop their noisy neighbours from winning the FA Cup and taking that second step towards the treble, then all hope is not totally lost. Ok, it won’t be in their own hands, as they will be relying on a huge favour from Inter Milan in the Champions League final the following week. But there is a glimmer of hope for United fans to cling to.
⚫🔵 Inter book their spot in the final! #UCL pic.twitter.com/mjF1ZSban1— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 16, 2023
City’s record in Europe at home this season has been staggeringly impressive. But away from home, not so.
At the Etihad, they’ve won six from six. But on the road, City has only won one of their six matches. The win was impressive, a 4-0 win over Sevilla. But their other five European away trips have all been draws.
Might this be an Achilles heel that could cause City a problem at a neutral venue in the Champions League final? If that proves to be the case, then maybe Manchester United’s record will live to fight another day.
