Prediction: Manchester City vs Sheffield United

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to punch their FA Cup final ticket on Saturday evening, Manchester City will welcome Championship outfit Sheffield United to the Etihad.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have been forced to settle for a second-leg 1-1 draw away at Bayern Munich in midweek, Pep Guardiola’s side did ease their way to the Champions League semi-finals. Eventually storming their way to a 4-1 aggregate romp against the German giants, the former Barcelona boss has his sights set on making real history this season. While the Sky Blues might currently find themselves sat four points adrift of Arsenal and defending their Premier League crown, the mood around the Etihad appears to be at a red-hot high. Riding what has been a stellar wave of momentum and finding a major clinical edge in the final third, Saturday’s hosts should rightfully be smelling a golden chance here. Not suffering a single defeat across all competitions since way back on February 5th, Manchester City are rightfully tipped as a landslide pick this weekend.

Team News

Expected to make a string of changes on Saturday evening, Guardiola is expected to hand the likes of Julian Alvarez, Cole Palmer, Kalvin Phillips, Rico Lewis and Sergio Gomez a full recall this weekend. Likewise, England international Phil Foden should make his first appearance since returning from March’s international break.

Appearing to have sustained a hamstring injury away at Bayern Munich earlier in the week, ex-Bournemouth defender Nathan Are will not feature at the Etihad here.

Sheffield United

As for the visitors, claiming a late 1-0 victory at home against Bristol City earlier in the week, Sheffield United are enjoying a real Championship romp this season. Holding a commanding seven-point buffer in the automatic promotion chase, Paul Heckingbottom’s side are within touching distance of booking a Premier League return. Gaining a string of plaudits and making real history on this year’s FA Cup adventure, the Blades have won six of their last seven appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to March 11th. However, need a major FA Cup miracle when they travel to the Etihad this weekend, Heckingbottom’s side should be worried by a nightmare record against the Premier League giants. Including a 1-0 defeat when they traveled to Manchester for their last meeting back in January 2021, Sheffield United have recorded just a single win against the Champions League semi-finalists over the past 23 years.

Team News

Sheffield United will travel to the Etihad on Saturday evening without the likes of Ben Osborn, Enda Stevens, Jack O’Connell, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Rhian Brewster here. Handed a rest against Bristol City earlier in the week, 32-year-old Oliver Norwood could be handed a full recall at the Etihad.

Likewise, bagging the winner off the bench in midweek and now scoring three goals in his last four appearances, England U21 international James McAtee could have a key role to play.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met in January 2021, Manchester City picked up a 1-0 victory at the Etihad while on Premier League duties.
• Likewise, Saturday’s hosts have won each of their last three meetings against Sheffield United by a 1-0 scoreline.
• The Sky Blues have lost just one of their last nine straight meetings against Sheffield United – a run that stems all the way back to January 2000.
• The reigning Premier League champions have also conceded just one goal in any of their previous seven meetings against the Blades.
• Only two of the last 12 meetings between Saturday’s opponents have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Handed a golden chance to book their FA Cup final ticket on Saturday evening, Manchester City are rightfully tipped as a landslide pick here. Eventually breezing past German giants Bayern Munich earlier in the week thanks to a 4-1 aggregate romp, the Premier League heavyweights are riding what has been a stellar wave of momentum. Although Sheffield United might have continued to impress many across the Championship this season, the Blades will be more than aware that they face a monumental challenge away from Bramall Lane. With City conceding just a single strike in any of their last seven straight meetings against Saturday’s guests, it is hard to see anything other than a routine home victory in Manchester.

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet