Amidst all the craziness of this past week in football, which has seen the birth and
death of a proposed European Super League, involving six teams from the Premier League plus three each from La Liga and Serie A and the massive outcry and ramifications of that decision, it is somewhat crazy to think that this weekend will see the first silverware of the season awarded.
That’s because the Carabao Cup Final, delayed from February to ensure that some fans can attend, will take place at Wembley Stadium this weekend on Sunday afternoon, 4.30pm kick off. Manchester City will attempt to match Liverpool’s record of four successive wins in the tournament when they take on Tottenham Hotspurs, who are seeking their first trophy of any kind since 2008.
In amongst all the ESL craziness this week, Spurs also have sacked their former manager Jose Mourinho from his post, with Ryan Mason and Chris Powell taking over on an interim basis until Daniel Levy can find a new man to take the helm.
It’s certainly going to be an interesting atmosphere at Wembley on Sunday given the week that has passed and of course, there are going to be plenty of fans wanting to enjoy a bet on the game. For great pre-match markets and a fantastic In Play service on the game, we’d recommend you take a look at bet365 Sport if you are based in the UK.
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Let’s now take a closer look at the game in full.
Carabao Cup Final Preview
- Manchester City v Tottenham
- Wembley Stadium
- 30pm Kick off on Sunday 25th April
- Referee – Paul Tierney
Manchester City have enjoyed a great deal of dominance in this competition over the past few years. They have not only won the last three Carabao Cup competitions held, but they have also won five of the last seven competitions.
For Spurs, this is their latest chance to end a barren run without a trophy that stretches back to 2008.
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur – History
- Matches Played – 164
- Manchester City Wins – 64
- Tottenham Wins – 63
- Drawn Matches – 37
As you can see from the historic record, there is very little between the two teams in the 164 games played between them, with Manchester City having just one more win than Tottenham over all those fixtures. That closeness between the teams is indicated in the last seven results between the two which has seen three wins apiece, with one game drawn.
Only two of the last eight games between the two teams has seen both teams score.
Carabao Cup/ FA Cup History
- Manchester City – 7 Wins (1970, 1976, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020)
City were also runners up the 1974 final when they were defeated by Wolves.
- Tottenham Hotspur – 4 Wins (1971, 1973, 1999, 2008)
Tottenham have finished as runners up in the competition on four occasions. 1982
(beaten by Liverpool), 2002 (Blackburn), 2009 (Manchester United) and 2015 (Chelsea)
The two teams have met three times in the League Cup competition previously and Tottenham have won the game on each of those occasions.
They have also contested one major domestic final, the 1981 FA Cup Final, which went to a replay after a 1-1 draw at Wembley. The replay, also played at Wembley, finished as a 3-2 win for Tottenham with Ricky Villa scoring a memorable winner after a mazy dribble.
In 2022, Chelsea went to head in the Caraboa Cup Final vs Chesea, representing a new matchup from the previous year.
The Road to Wembley
Manchester City
- Third Round – v Bournemouth (H) W 2-1 (Delap, Foden)
- Fourth Round – v Burnley (A) W 3-0 (Sterling 2, Torres)
- Quarter Finals – v Arsenal (A) W 4-1 (Jesus, Mahrez, Foden, Laporte)
- Semi Finals – v Manchester United (A) W 2-0 (Stones, Fernandinho)
Tottenham Hotspur
- Third Round – v Leyton Orient – Walkover L.Orient unable to fulfil fixture
- Fourth Round – v Chelsea (H) D 1-1 (Lamela) W 5-4 on penalties
- Quarter Finals – v Stoke City (A) W 3-1 (Bale, Davies, Kane)
- Semi Finals – v Brentford (H) W 2-0 (Sissoko, Son)
Carabao Cup Final Teams News
Pep Guardiola has already made it clear that Ederson will not play in the final, with US international back up keeper Zack Steffen to be given a chance to start. With City facing a Champions League semifinal next week against Paris St Germain you could also see a couple of other big name players given a rest for that game.
I do think that Sergio Aguero, if fit, has a good chance to start. His fitness is questionable though, which is why I have picked Jesus to start in his place, but don’t be surprised if Aguero does get a chance at some point in the game.
The other calls could be to give Fernandinho another run out to preserve other players for the Champions League game, while Stones and Dias will likely start in defence charged with stopping Harry Kane if the Englishman is fit to play. Zinchenko also may well start ahead of Cancelo or Mendy.
- Manchester City Probable XI – (4-3-3) – Steffen, Walker, Zinchenko, Stones, Dias, Fernandinho, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Sterling, Jesus, Foden
With Jose Mourinho ousted as manager, Ryan Mason has a hell of a task just a week or
so into his new role as caretaker manager, picking the team to try and win Spurs first trophy since 2008. The main issue is whether Harry Kane is fit or not. If he is, the England Captain starts for Spurs. If not, then I’d expect Gareth Bale to be given the job of replacing him.
Even if Kane doesn’t start I feel Bale may well be given a chance to shine, especially since it was pretty evident that one of the reasons Mourinho was sacked was for not using the Welshman enough. That could be bad news for Moura and Lamela who may face a place on the bench if Kane is fit.
The midfield area is key and Spurs will want Hobjerg and Sissoko in there to provide plenty of energy alongside the talented if erratic Ndombele.
Tottenham Hotspur Probable XI – (4-2-3-1) – Lloris, Aurier, Reguilon, Alderweireld, Dier, Hojbjerg, Sissoko, Ndombele, Son, Bale, Kane
Carabao Cup Final Tips
What kind of game will we see at Wembley and who will dominate the game? History suggests that it is not likely that both teams will score, but given the recent form of both and especially if Harry Kane is fit, I think there is a good chance that both teams will indeed find the net on Sunday.
However, when it comes to winning the game, I cannot see any other outcome than another Manchester City win. Pep Guardiola has rotated his squad superbly over this season to keep players fresh and even if he does so again here, I still think City have too much for Spurs.
As such my betting tips for this game are as follows:
- Full Time Result – Manchester City – 1/2 with bet365
- Correct Score – Manchester City 3-1 Tottenham – 12/1 with bet365
- Anytime Goalscorer – Gabriel de Jesus (Man City) – 7/5
