With the Premier League title still up for grabs, a trophy will be handed out Saturday when Manchester City and Chelsea meet in the FA Cup final.
Oddly enough, one of these teams has been the FA Cup loser in five of the last six years, although both have lifted the FA Cup at least once in the last decade.
Since it’s a meeting between two of the traditional Premier League powers, Saturday’s game is highly anticipated.
Keep reading to take a closer look at the matchup and get my FA Cup predictions.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Odds
All soccer odds used for these Manchester City vs Chelsea predictions are current as of Thursday, May 14, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Manchester City (-140) / Draw (+300) / Chelsea (+370)
- Spread: Manchester City -0.5 (-160) / Chelsea +0.5 (+115)
- Over/Under: Over 2.5 (-145) / Under 2.5 (+115)
Manchester City vs Chelsea Predictions
Score Prediction: Manchester City 3, Chelsea 1
It should be no surprise that Manchester City is a considerable favorite in this game, as Pep Guardiola’s squad leads the Premier League in goals, while also having the second-best defensive record. City hasn’t lost to another English club since January 17, winning eight of its last nine games since it won the Carabao Cup in late March. That stretch includes a convincing 3-0 road win over Chelsea in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Chelsea has reached the FA Cup final despite a dreadful run late in the season. Outside of FA Cup wins over Wrexham, Port Vale, and Leeds, the Blues have not won since March 4, only snapping a six-game Premier League losing streak last weekend with a 1-1 draw against Liverpool. While Chelsea has shown up in cup games, this is a team in terrible form heading into the FA Cup final.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Best Bets
Over 2.5 Goals (-145)
Even though most cup finals tend to be cagey, low-scoring affairs, this game should include at least three or four goals.
Of the last 14 FA Cup finals, nine have ended with at least three goals, including three of the four finals involving Man City during that stretch.
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Admittedly, Chelsea’s attack isn’t firing on all cylinders at the moment, but the Blues have scored in three straight games, while FA Cup wins over Leeds, Port Vale, and Hull City are Chelsea’s only clean sheets since mid-January.
Meanwhile, Man City has scored at least three goals in three consecutive games, while scoring multiple goals in eight of its last nine games, so there is every reason to expect some goals in this game.
Manchester City -1.5 (+175) vs Chelsea
My soccer pick of the day is for Man City to win the FA Cup final by multiple goals, in part because it offers good value and isn’t that far-fetched.
Last weekend’s draw with Liverpool doesn’t suddenly change what bad form Chelsea has been in late in the season.
Playing the likes of Hull City, Wrexham, Port Vale, and Leeds, the Blues have had a favorable path to the FA Cup final, which is bound to catch up with them against Man City.
Also, while the Mancunians might be distracted by the Premier League title race, Guardiola rested several key players in Wednesday’s win over Crystal Palace, signaling that City will play its best lineup on Saturday and wants to lift the FA Cup trophy.
