FA Cup Tip: Man City v Man Utd

The big Wembley showpiece between the Manchester giants will be slightly tainted by the absence of both teams’ star strikers. Wayne Rooney completes a two match suspension for swearing which seemed to give a lift to City’s prospects in this FA Cup semi final. However, a hamstring injury to Blues’ talisman Carlos Tevez has potentially inflicted a more telling blow to Roberto Mancini’s hopes. In short, United look like they have other goals in the team, whereas City can be something of a one-man band.

Rooney isn’t even one of his side’s top two goalscorers this season. His total of 13 has mainly come in his recent return to form but Berbatov is still the league’s leading poacher with 21 in that competition alone. Javier Hernandez has amazingly contributed 18 goals in all competitions, despite only recently holding down a starting birth.

Contrast this to Man City where Balotelli, Dzeko and Jo have scored 17 goals between them in all competitions; this is five fewer than Tevez alone. When the Argentinian limped off against Liverpool at Anfield on Monday night the other players left on the pitch looked bereft of inspiration and leadership. Mancini will hope that the likes of David Silva and Adam Johnson can provide a spark but it remains to be seen if he has got past his reservations about playing them both at the same time.

This seems like an unlikely moment for Mancini to start throwing caution to the wind and those expecting an open free-flowing spectacle may be left disappointed. Man United are currently building much of their success on a strong defence and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a cagey opening period. Ferguson is the master of getting his teams to come on strong in the second period and this has never been more apparent than against the neighbours in recent times.

United have scored winning goals in the final 15 minutes of four of the last six games against City in all competitions. I’m backing this general trend to continue by targeting the 9/2 on offer with William Hill for United to win in 90 minutes after being level at half-time. Those wishing to be more daring could even be enticed by United winning having been behind at half-time. Such are the league leaders’ powers of recovery that 33/1 on that occurring provides some value. However, without Tevez in opposition, those powers may not be required.