Man City vs Man United Bet Builder Tips: Over 3.5 goals in 10/1 punt

It's Groundhog Day again as we have a repeat of last year's FA Cup final on Saturday (15:00, BBC One/ITV1). Manchester City take on rivals Manchester United at Wembley Stadium to complete a league and cup double in 2023/24. Pep Guardiola's side won the match 2-1 last year and it is remembered for Ilkay Gundogan's stunning goal inside the opening minute.

United boss Erik ten Hag might need this trophy to salvage his job at Old Trafford, but against the blue machine, I don't see that happening. Below I have put together my Man City vs Man United bet builder tips, which combined, pay out at an enticing 10/1.

Man City to win

I don't usually like to include City to win in bet builders because it doesn't offer much value, but I have gone with it here because on paper they should absolutely wipe the floor with the Red Devils.

The Citizens have won six of the last seven meetings between them, losing in the Premier League at Old Trafford last season. Following last year's FA Cup triumph, City have defeated United 3-0 and 3-1 in the league this term.

Off the back of winning the league for a record fourth-straight year, while United finished eighth, it makes sense to back the team that have been structured throughout the campaign.

The Red Devils have been defensively shaky all season which does not help their case. I fancy Man City to win this game, but as it's a cup final, I cannot say for certain that they will hammer their opponents.

Phil Foden anytime goalscorer

The Premier League Player of the Season, Phil Foden, has enjoyed a stunning year with the champions. He ended the season with 19 goals and eight assists in the league, turning in some of his best performances in a City shirt. He is now stepping up for Guardiola's side as he has cemented himself as a consistent and reliable starter.

With one game left to go of this season, he will want to have one more shining moment and where better to do that than Wembley for the FA Cup final against your biggest rivals. Foden has already netted against United this term, and what a cracking strike it was.

I'm confident we will see him get on the scoresheet here, and I expect him to dictate play once again.

Bruno Fernandes to be carded

He may be United's most important player but Bruno Fernandes still has a habit of picking up yellow cards. Most of them stem from his passion, which is shown when things aren't going well for his team and his frustration gets the better of him.

Against United's local rivals, who are likely to dominate the ball and pass it around the Red Devils with ease, this cup final could see another aggressive performance from the Portuguese international.

He ended the league season with nine yellow cards to his name, the most of any Man United player. He has so far picked up just one in the FA Cup but I can see him doubling that tally under the arch in this feisty fixture.

It's also worth noting that he has also been carded while playing City once already this term.

Over 3.5 goals

I do find this final a tough one to call, and I was on the fence about which goal threshold to cover, but I like the look of backing over 3.5 goals because it did land when these two sides last met in the league a couple of months ago.

Realistically, I'd expect City to score the bulk of the goals for this leg to land but when it comes to a cup final, it's cliche to say but form does tend to fly out the window, just look at Atalanta's Europa League final triumph over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek.

United may still be short in areas to be a threat in the Premier League and Champions League over the length of a season, but over one game they can do some damage.

City cannot afford to underestimate Ten Hag's side as they finished the season with back-to-back victories and of course they need the FA Cup to secure a place in Europe next term.

I do see the Red Devils getting on the scoresheet here, which may push the Citizens to work for their second piece of silverware this year. But judging on how  the two league meetings went this campaign, City should score the bulk of the goals needed for over 3.5 goals to land on Saturday.

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Betfred are running their famed Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven offer on this match, meaning that if a player scores first and then nets again, you will be paid at double the odds. If he grabs a hat-trick, you will be paid at treble the odds!

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