FA Cup Final - Manchester City vs. Watford FC Picks

Only one more game is separating Manchester City from history. The Citizens needed all 38 games to win the Premier League and 6 games to win the Carabao Cup, so it’s only fitting that their 50^th domestic match will determine whether or not they become the first English side ever to win the domestic treble. Manchester City can do that by beating Watford FC in the FA Cup Final this Saturday, and they are heavy favorites to do so.

Manchester City vs. Watford FC

FA Cup Final Opening Odds:

Watford finished 11th in the Premier League table, and the Hornets were the classic team that could beat all the bad teams but couldn’t beat any of the elite ones. After a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in their first game against a Big Six team, they lost their remaining 11 games against Big Six clubs.

This will be Watford’s second trip to the FA Cup Final. They finished runner-up to Manchester United 35 years ago, and they are out to win their first FA Cup this season.

The Hornets played three straight road games at the start of this competition, and they shut out all three foes. They beat sixth-tier Woking 2-0, knocked off Newcastle United 2-0, and outlasted QPR 1-0 to reach the quarterfinals. There, Watford finally started playing home games, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 in the quarterfinals and Wolverhampton 3-2 in the semifinals. That game was a banger, as Watford needed to overcome a 2-0 deficit late to win in extra time.

Manchester City blasted three straight foes at the start of the FA Cup by a combined margin of 16-1. They finally were tested by Swansea City in the quarterfinals, falling behind 2-0 early on against the Welsh club before rallying in the final 20 minutes to win 3-2. City only beat Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 in the FA Cup Semifinal, but the score was not indicative of the performance.

Injury Report

Benjamin Mendy and Claudio Bravo are both long-term injuries for the side of Manchester City. Fernandinho suffered a knee injury during a match a few weeks ago, and he has yet to return to action from it. He is considered doubtful to play, but Kevin De Bruyne is likely to be available.

Jose Holebas picked up a red card in Watford’s season finale against West Ham United, but that was rescinded, making him eligible to play in this final. Domingos Quina and Sebastian Prodl are both going to miss this match for the Hornets though.

Watford FC Player to Watch

Gerard Deulofeu has had an up and down season. He can be special when he is on, and we have seen him rise to the occasion. He scored Watford’s lone goal in their most recent loss to City, and he spearheaded the comeback effort against Wolves in the FA Cup Semifinal. Deulofeu notched 10 goals on the season for Watford.

Manchester City Player to Watch

Sergio Aguero has been phenomenal once again this season. He was in contention for the Golden Boot throughout the year, and City’s all-time leading scorer was just the man to lead them back after falling behind Brighton last week. Aguero has been Mister Manchester City since joining the club in 2011, and it would be only fitting if he were to lead them to a treble.

Manchester City vs. Watford FC Betting Prediction

This is going to be a rout. Watford conceded 59 goals in league play this year, and I don’t think the Hornets will be able to stop City’s supercharged attack. Bet the over.