Manchester United meet Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday as both look to end the season with silverware.
Jose Mourinho is looking for his second FA Cup success, his first – somewhat ironically – was for Chelsea against United, in the last time these two met in the final back in 2007.
Antonio Conte is looking for his first FA Cup win, and wants to avoid a repeat of last season when they lsot in the final to Arsenal.
United last won the trophy in 2016 and victory would be their 13th in the competition’s history and would be a record equalling success, putting them on par with Arsenal, whilst it would be an 8th win for Chelsea, whose last win was in 2012.
Mourinho is looking for his third trophy in just two seasons, and many people feel finishing second to Manchester City and an FA Cup win would constitute a ‘good season’ but the Portuguese insists they have done well no matter the outcome at Wembley.
“To finish second against an untouchable winner is good, to make lots more points than last season, to win more matches, to score more goals, to concede less goals, to have much better results against the top teams I think is a successful season.
“Now the final is the final and obviously you have to try to win, but I do not think it is because of one game that a team is good or bad, a player is good or bad, a manager is good or bad and the season is good or bad.”
Conte comes into what could very well be his final game in charge of Chelsea, with many believing he will be leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer.
And the Italian admits he is disappointed at finishing fifth, the year after winning the Premier League but he wants to end their season with success.
“I like to play to win and this is my first season I didn’t win the title. Three with Juventus, one with Chelsea. When I start a season I have always won. There is a great disappointment for me. I like to play to win. To finish fifth is a big disappointment for me.”
See below for a preview on the game, including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder Andy Gray and our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey and bet365’s Steve Freeth.
Chelsea 17:15 :00 Manchester United
Wembley
TEAM NEWS: United are sweating over the fitness of striker Romelu Lukaku, but they hope he will face his former club, whilst Marouane Fellaini and Anthony Martial are major doubts. Chelsea have a near fully fit squad but Danny Drinkwater and David Luiz will miss out.
KEY FACT: United will come up against Chelsea at Wembley for an eighth time – the most they have faced anyone at the national stadium
MATCH ODDS: Chelsea 19/10 Draw 21/10 Man United 9/5
bet365 Pick: Under 1.5 goals @13/8
ANDY SAYS: Close game for sure, but I think Man United have the edge and will take it 2-1
GRAEME SAYS: I think both teams are going to score but United to win it for me…3-1
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Romelu Lukaku – Should have a big final followed by a big summer
