Manchester City are taking on Brentford today in their final Premier League game, before next weekend’s FA Cup showdown with Manchester United.
City are looking to close out the 2022/23 Premier League season in style, but face a tricky test against the Bees.
Thomas Frank’s side won the reverse fixture 2-1 back in November at the Etihad Stadium.
So Pep Guardiola will be out for revenge today.
The Spaniard will want a top performance, that will stand his side in good stead for next weekend’s huge game with United.
United are looking to stop City from completing a Treble – a feat they achieved back in the 1998/99 season.
Erik ten Hag will be determined to get one over on Guardiola at Wembley, and land United their second trophy of the season after the Carabao Cup.
The FA Cup has been somewhat slippery for City in recent years.
Guardiola has won it only once during his time with the club, back in the 2018/19 season.
He’ll undoubtedly be desperate to win it for a second time, and the game has the potential to be a cracker.
Wayne Rooney has offered his thoughts about the game, and wants United to go 4-4-2 with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford up top to try and play on the counter (Times via Metro).
The United legend has also given his prediction as to how he thinks the game will go. He said: “I am expecting an exciting and close game. I have a feeling there will be extra time and penalty shootouts and for some reason I have the impression that United will win. I really hope so.”
Manchester City must beware Manchester United on the counter as Wayne Rooney makes prediction for FA Cup final
City will likely be dominating the ball at Wembley, as they tend to do in most games.
It would be no surprise if ten Hag did set his side up to counter-attack City, as Rooney thinks he should.
This tactic has worked against City previously, and Guardiola must be wary of it at Wembley.
You would think that Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji will both be very likely to start the game in order to deal with this, as they are the quickest defenders.
Hopefully City can turn in a performance to the same standard as against Arsenal and Real Madrid (second leg) at Wembley.
