It’s a Manchester Derby in the 2023 FA Cup Final — City vs. United. We have a complete betting breakdown of the looming matchup, including our three free picks to come out profitable from the FA Cup Final.
- What: FA Cup Final
- Who: Man City vs. Manchester United
- When: Saturday, June 3
- Where: Wembley Stadium in London, England
2023 FA Cup Final Preview
Let’s begin our preview of the 2023 FA Cup Final with a quick look at the betting odds. These are available at the best betting sites for soccer. As it stands, City is the comfortable betting favorite on the 3-way moneyline:
| Outcome |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man City | -225 | -225 | -225 |
| Draw | +360 | +360 | +360 |
| Manchester United | +475 | +475 | +475 |
No one should be surprised by City’s favoritism, they’re on the cusp of becoming the second team ever to complete the domestic treble — that is, win titles in the Premier League (already done), FA Cup, and Champions League (they’re in the Finals here too). Ironically, the only club to have ever done it before was the ‘99 United team. The franchise is now tasked with protecting its glory. For what it’s worth, the two clubs split their EPL regular-season meetings. City blew them out 6-3 at home before United enacted revenge with a 2-1 victory on its own pitch.
The big variable for Saturday’s match is City’s injury list. Manager Pep Guardiola could be out four key players for the matchup — Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne. All four missed the season-ending game to Brentford, which they shockingly lost 1-0. Pep has eluded to the four playing against United, but it’s fair to wonder whether their capacity will be limited. De Bruyne, in particular, is a key cog to the club’s devastating attack.
United are more healthy in comparison, but not without issues. Most notably, forward Anthony Martial has been ruled out. Though, he’s been troubled by injuries most of the season so it’s not like United isn’t used to playing without him. Martial has six goals and two assists in 21 appearances this season.
Outside of injuries, United feels to be on the up and up. Only a year removed from posting its personal lowest-ever point tally in league history (68), manager Erik Ten Hag righted the ship in year one. He navigated through drama with Ronaldo and led United to third in the EPL standings. They ended the season on a four-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 9-2 in that stretch.
2023 FA Cup Betting Predictions
With the European football season down to its final betting opportunities, we’ll be seizing what’s left. In the 2023 FA Cup, that includes making three separate betting picks. We scoured the options and settled on these three to maximize potential profits:
Over/ Under 2.5 Goals
| Outcome | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 2.5 goals | -165 | -165 | -165 |
| Under 2.5 goals | +130 | +130 | +130 |
City is equally breathtaking on offense as they’re suffocating on defense. Let’s start with the defense, which has been surprising. Surprising not just for its sheer success (allowed only 33 goals in the Premier League), but its tactics. Guardiola, the ever-mad scientist, created a back four made up entirely of center-backs — mainly Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake. He’s used the strategy since March, which was after its loss to United.
Therefore, the defense United goes up against this weekend, won’t be like the one it faced two times this season. We could very well see City blanking the opposition. If so, the question becomes can City’s offense create three goals by themselves or not? Even for an attack like theirs, three goals seems like a lot against a bitter rival AND in a final. Take those plus-money odds and wager the under.
Anytime Scorer Prop
Here’s a fun bet, albeit a crapshoot one. Which player(s) score on Saturday? Every player on the pitch has its own betting line, but since we’re on record saying United won’t get into the net, the options below encompass only City players.
| Player | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | -190 | -190 | -190 |
| Julian Alvarez | +140 | +140 | +140 |
| Phil Foden | +200 | +200 | +200 |
| Riyad Mahrez | +260 | +260 | +260 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | +280 | +280 | +280 |
| Ilkay Gündoğan | +280 | +280 | +280 |
Look, the obvious bet here is Haaland for reasons you already know — this kid is the most prolific scorer in the whole world. He’s scored 52 times this season, his first with the club and against stiffer EPL competition. So we certainly think a bet on Haaland makes all the sense in the world.
However, we’re about extracting as much betting value as possible and Haaland at -190 doesn’t fit that criteria. For that reason, we wanted to add a little risk here. To us, Foden is worth a flyer bet. Whereas many players are lacking fitness, Foden seems to be back in tip-top shape after an appendicitis ailment a month ago. He’s started multiple games as of late and is a strong candidate to make a scoring splash come Saturday.
3-Way Moneyline
If you read our two prior picks, you surely know we’re betting City to win — and to do so in regulation. They’re the better club than United in every single facet. A historic tremble should be theirs the weekend after in the Champions League too if you want to put money on that one too. Stake your money on City with confidence here.
How To Bet On 2023 FA Cup Final
For a full list of bets on the 2023 FA Cup Final, check out one of the betting sites listed below. All five of these are rated highly in our unbiased sportsbook reviews, specifically in their football betting. So not only are you getting all the betting options, but free money too. There are multiple sportsbook bonuses redeemable from site to site, which could bankroll your City-United bets.
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