Two of this season's Premier League underachievers will try to end the campaign on a high note when they meet for the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday, when Antonio Conte's Chelsea take on Jose Mourinho's Manchester United. The Red Devils won 2-1 against Chelsea at Old Trafford in February, and the Blues won the reverse fixture 1-0 in November. The two teams have met in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last season and Chelsea won 1-0 thanks to a goal from N'Golo Kante. The Blues reached the final of the competition last season but lost to Arsenal.
Chelsea had a very good chance of finishing fourth in the Premier League this season but it all went away in the penultimate game of the season as they got held to a 1-1 draw at home by Huddersfield. The last match of the Premier League season brought an even worse result for the Blues, a 3-0 defeat at Newcastle. David Luiz and Ethan Ampadu remain the only injury concerns for manager Antonio Conte, who will have to choose between cup goalkeeper Willy Caballero and first-choice goalie Thibaut Courtois for the final.
Manchester United had a rather quiet season finale as their second place behind Premier League champions Manchester City was secured. The Red Devils had a more difficult match in the FA Cup semi-finals than Chelsea, the Blues eased past relegation contenders Southampton, while Manchester United battled past Tottenham with goals from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera turning the result after Dele Alli's opener. Romelu Lukaku, Marouane Fellaini and Anthony Martial are injury doubts for Jose Mourinho's side.
Probable line-ups:
Cheslea: Courtois - Azpilicueta, Cahill, Rudiger - Moses, Fabregas, Kante, Alonso - Willian, Hazard - Morata
Man United: De Gea - Bailly, Smallig, Jones - Valencia, Matic, Pogba, Young - Lingard - Sanchez, Lukaku
My prediction: 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Chelsea win - 2.89 Draw - 3.20 Man United win - 2.70
sharpe 6 years ago Super Hero
You almost got it right Johnny, when I'm thinking about it now under 2 goals would of been a reasonable stake, it could of been predicted when Mourinho and Conte teams meeting. I had the slight feeling Chelsea would of won it though.
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
JohnnyK 6 years ago Forum admin
I have no idea, it will probably end up on penalties and those can't be predicted.
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
sharpe 6 years ago Super Hero
And who will lift the cup then Johnny? ;-) Yeah I think that one is really tough to predict, for sure it would be a close one. We know Mourinho rarely loosing finals (if any) despite his team an ugly style of play. Conte never won a national cup as Juventus or Chelsea manager so it could be his turn this time...so...
And who will lift the cup then Johnny? ;-) Yeah I think that one is really tough to predict, for sure it would be a close one. We know Mourinho rarely loosing finals (if any) despite his team an ugly style of play. Conte never won a national cup as Juventus or Chelsea manager so it could be his turn this time...so who knows...not me anyway.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.