Mark Langdon is backing Manchester City to come out on top against local rivals Manchester United at Wembley in the FA Cup final and stay on course to match the Red Devils' treble of 1999.

Mark Langdon's FA Cup Final betting tips

Man City to win 2-1 correct score @ 15/2
Ilkay Gundogan to score first each-way @ 11/1
Rodrigo Hernandez Rodri to be booked @ 5/1

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.

Setting the scene…..

Manchester City will be looking to stay on course for a tremendous treble and they deserve to be strong favourites to add the FA Cup to the Premier League trophy when they take on neighbours Manchester United at Wembley.

The FA Cup is usually a big enough prize on its own, but the 2023 edition transcends the world's most famous knockout competition, with City aiming to move a step closer to the treble and United desperate to stop them to preserve their own historic three-trophy haul of 1999.

Throw in the mix of a local derby and all the ingredients are there for a special occasion with City fancied to come out on top. They are 1/2 to win in 90 minutes and 2/7 to lift the trophy, with United 11/4 to end City's treble charge.

Man City to win 2-1 @ 15/2

The sensible way to approach FA Cup final betting is to always assume the match will be tight.

There will be plenty of nerves, the forecast hot weather might not make it easy for the players and 17 of the last 20 FA Cup finals have been decided by no more than one goal.

The three exceptions were all total mismatches - City's 6-0 walloping of Watford in 2019, Arsenal's 4-0 success over a poor Aston Villa side in 2015 and United's 3-0 win over Championship outfit Millwall in 2004.

Mark Langdon's Tip:

City are clearly the team to beat, but this is no total mismatch like those wide-margin successes and United possess the potential to make life difficult having scored in four of the last five derby dust-ups.

Marcus Rashford's counter-attacking threat can keep City honest, however, the quality of City's own forwards - plus the ominous firepower from the bench - means Pep Guardiola's team can take the trophy in 90 minutes in a 2-1 win.

Ilkay Gundogan to score first each-way @ 11/1

All eyes will be on Erling Haaland in the goalscoring markets and for obvious reasons - he has notched 52 times in 51 appearances this season.

Three of those came at the Etihad against United, although the Red Devils managed to nullify the Norwegian at Old Trafford with Haaland managing only 19 touches in the shock 2-1 loss for City.

The danger for United is they overcompensate for Haaland which leaves gaps for others to exploit and Ilkay Gundogan gives punters a nice run for their money at 11/1 to open the scoring.

Mark Langdon's Tip:

Gundogan is the ultimate big game player and he has come up time and time for City during the run-in, scoring six goals in his last 13 appearances and his clever runs from deep can cause mayhem, particularly as Casemiro is likely to have Kevin De Bruyne in his sights for most of the match.

German international Gundogan's double at Everton went a long way to winning the title for City and last season's brace on the final day against Aston Villa crowned City champions.

Essentially, the bigger the game the better Gundogan plays and they don't come much bigger than this.

Rodrigo Hernandez Rodri to be booked @ 9/2

Those who play the cards markets in singles or as part of a bet builder will probably be making Casemiro their focus at Wembley and it's understandable.

The brilliant Brazilian will have a job on keeping City's attacking threats under wraps and Casemiro has been cautioned 13 times and suffered two red cards in his debut season in English football.

For better value head to the City ranks for the player who does the Casemiro role - Rodrigo Hernandez Rodri.

Mark Langdon's Tip:

Football fans are always amazed at how often Rodri manages to escape cards and his tactical fouling masterclass helps Guardiola's side to protect a defence which will defend high.

Rodri does seem to judge his fouling just right, although he has been cautioned eight times and stopping United's counter will be a key aspect of this final.

The Spaniard has made 67 tackles in the Premier League this season - 23 more than any other City player - and his foul count of 47 is 16 higher than any other member of Guardiola's squad.

It feels like a matter of time before more cards follow and referee Paul Tierney has produced 32 yellows in his last six Premier League outings so Rodri's fouling may catch the eye more than normal.

Mark Langdon's FA Cup Final betting tips

Man City to win 2-1 correct score @ 15/2
Ilkay Gundogan to score first each-way @ 11/1
Rodrigo Hernandez Rodri to be booked @ 5/1

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.

Mark Langdon

• Manchester City F.C.
• Manchester United F.C.
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