Bragging Rights: League v Cup

To the barely disguised disgust of some Manchester City fans, neighbours United may be celebrating winning the league title about half an hour before their own team walk out for the FA Cup Final on Saturday. It is an unusual prospect brought about by the Champions League final being played at Wembley on May 28, when United face Barcelona; the pitch has been given two weeks to recover between showpiece events.

At 1/1000 to win the league, United could in theory slip-up against Blackburn and still lift the trophy another day, but they will be desperate to outshine their rivals on their big day. A Blackburn win at Ewood Park at 9/2 with Coral would give Mancini’s side the perfect lift by forcing Ferguson to keep the champagne on ice on Saturday.

Unlike United, the blue half of the city will have to get it right on the day. Stoke City are the Cup Final underdogs at a best price of 18/5 with Totesport to triumph in 90 minutes. However, at just 2/1 to lift the trophy with bet365, Pulis’s side could spring an upset after extra time or penalties. The Potters are specifically 25/1 to clinch their first ever FA Cup after an additional 30 minutes and 12/1 to win via spot-kick drama.

That would be the stuff of nightmare for Mancini and his side’s long-suffering supporters but they are 5/6 to win in 90 minutes with Bluesquare. City are 10/1 to do the job after extra time and 12/1 to win their first major trophy in 35 years on penalties.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the Premier League Blackpool have the rare backing of the bookies to beat Bolton at Bloomfield Road at odds of 6/5 with totesport. Even the draw at 12/5 may be sufficient for the Tangerines to clamber out of the drop zone, for at least a day, if Wolves lose at Sunderland at 7/4. StanJames go 15/8 on Mick McCarthy’s side recording back-to-back wins after their 3-1 triumph over West Brom last week. A draw with Sunderland is 12/5 with Skybet.