Manchester City are looking to complete their first ever domestic treble on Saturday in the FA Cup final, but Watford stand in their way.
City come into the final as firm favourites, but the Citizens know better than most that the cup final can throw up shocks – they only need look back to 2013 when Wigan caused a huge upset in beating them.
Pep Guardiola comes into the final looking for his first ever FA Cup victory, so he is very much hoping for victory, but he is not under-estimating Watford.
“Watford with Javi Gracia, he is an experienced manager from working in other countries and I think he is an excellent guy, an excellent manager and knows exactly what to do,” he said.
“They have huge talent up front, many physical players, good on set pieces and this is a final, we know what can happen. We believe a lot in ourselves and we will have to find the antidote to beat them.
“It is a cup final, anything can happen like a red card. They can prepare the final better, they can make a strategy we did not expect. In one game, anything can happen.
“Normally the better team wins but a decision of the referee could make the difference. In the Premier League you have another chance and can be more relaxed, but this is completely different.”
Javi Gracia is looking to guide Watford to a first ever major trophy, in what is only their second FA Cup final, after their defeat to Everton in 1984.
“It will be a difficult game for us as Manchester City have some great players and are a great team, everybody knows this. But in football you always have a chance,” he said.
“You never know what is going to happen, even if you are playing against one of the best teams in the world. We have to be ready to show our best and if we can find a way to compete against them, then we can do it.
“The last time the club came close in this competition was in 1984 when the great man Graham Taylor was the coach – and I hope we can win it for him, for his family and all of our supporters. All of us know how important it is and I have no doubt about our commitment.”
We run through every game including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder Andy Gray, our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey and BoyleSports’ Lawrence Lyons.
Manchester City 17:00 Watford
Wembley Stadium
TEAM NEWS: Man City are hoping that Fernandinho will be fit to take his place in midfield, whilst Kevin De Bruyne will also be looking to start after recovering from his hamstring injury.
Watford are boosted by having Jose Holebas available, after his red card from their clash with West Ham was rescinded.
Etienne Capoue is fit for Watford, but Domingos Quina and Sebastian Prodl are missing.
KEY FACT: Watford have never won a major trophy in their history
MATCH ODDS: Manchester City 2/9 Draw 9/2 Watford 12/1
BoyleSports pick: Man City to win 1-0 @13/2
ANDY SAYS: Hard to see Man City being denied, should be a good game and Watford will do well, but has to be the treble for City…3-1
GRAEME SAYS: I think that this could go to extra-time but City just about land the trophy…2-1
Football Index – One to follow: Raheem Sterling – Is still well worthy of investment, and a big game in the cup final won’t do any harm
