Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan both to start, Manuel Akanji on the bench – Predicted XI: Manchester City vs Manchester United (FA Cup Final) | OneFootball

Manchester City will look to move themselves to within just one win of a historic treble this season, as they face Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup final this weekend.

Saturday afternoon’s clash between the two bitter Manchester rivals will be the 142nd FA Cup final, and the first time that the blue and red sides from the north-west city will go head-to-head at this stage of the competition.

City manager Pep Guardiola will be looking to make history with his side by becoming the first English side since their local rivals Manchester United to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season.

Should Manchester City succeed in beating their Mancunian rivals this weekend, then it will be the seventh time that they have lifted the prestigious English trophy and the second time under their Catalan head coach.

Erik ten Hag’s team finished third in the Premier League this season, and were crowned winners of the Carabao Cup earlier in the campaign. The Red Devils will be looking to secure another victory, and in the process win their 13th FA Cup title.

Ahead of the much-anticipated showpiece final at Wembley Stadium this weekend, here is how we predict Pep Guardiola will line up his Manchester City side in a huge 10 days for the club’s history!

Predicted XI

Whilst Ederson has been Pep Guardiola’s most consistent pick this season, Stefan Ortega is confirmed to be the starter in between the sticks – continuing the trend of being Manchester City’s goalkeeper in the cup competitions this season.

Kyle Walker will likely be needed on the right-hand side of Manchester City’s back-four this Saturday, as his pace will be a formidable factor in stopping the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford from pressing forward.

Ruben Dias is expected to operate in his usual position as centre-back, especially after returning to training in the last few days, with his decisive leadership being an important part of City’s overall performance.

John Stones is also expected to start this one, although Pep Guardiola may opt for what has become a regular system this season and utilise the England international as a hybrid midfielder.

Nathan Ake played over an hour against Brentford last weekend after coming back from a hamstring injury, and will likely make the starting line-up in this all-Manchester clash, as the Dutchman’s consistently strong performances have often made him a sure starter.

Rodri is expected to maintain his usual position as a defensive midfielder ahead of Kalvin Phillips.

Club captain Ilkay Gundogan should be set to return to central midfield, with the Germany international currently in fantastic form and a much-needed part of Pep Guardiola’s starting XI.

Despite minor injury concerns for Kevin De Bruyne last week, we expect the Belgian to make the starting line-up as he plays an integral role in playmaking and has become a formidable figure in games where winning is an absolute must.

Whilst Pep Guardiola could opt for either Phil Foden or Riyad Mahrez on the right-wing, he may also decide to start Bernardo Silva for his pace and high-levels of pressing – two factors that could prove decisive this weekend.

Erling Haaland will once again lead the line, after the Norwegian tallied a staggering 52 goals upon the conclusion of the Premier League campaign, winning both the Player and Young Player of the Season awards in the process. He will certainly be looking to add to his astounding tally and make his mark in his first final for City.

Jack Grealish was an injury concern against Brentford last weekend, having also been left out of the matchday squad that faced Brighton just days prior, but we expect the in-form forward to return to his usual berth on the left of a front-three.

Starting XI: Ortega; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Bernardo, Haaland, Grealish.

Substitutes: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez, Phillips, Mahrez, Alvarez, Foden.