Free football tips and odds: Chelsea v Manchester United in the FA Cup final
George Pitts thinks Manchester United will win the FA Cup for the second time in three years when they come up against Chelsea at Wembley.
FA Cup recommended bets
2pts Manchester United to beat Chelsea in 90 minutes and BTTS at 11/2
1pt Romelu Lukaku to score and Manchester United to win in 90 minutes at 4/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Chelsea v Manchester United (1715 BST, BBC One and BT Sport 2)
It really is make or break for these teams and Chelsea arguably have far more to lose in this huge final.
Manchester United may be slightly disappointed with their campaign, but a second-place finish in the Premier League for the first time in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era shows the progress Jose Mourinho is making at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils won this competition in 2015/16 under Louis van Gaal and they are 7/4 favourites to secure the trophy in 90 minutes on Saturday. It would be a third trophy for Mourinho in two seasons at the club, providing them with a great platform to build on with the league title in their sights next year.
They have been pretty convincing in the FA Cup this year, avoiding replays as they beat Derby, Yeovil, Huddersfield, Brighton (all four with clean sheets) and Tottenham en route to the final.
Chelsea, meanwhile, were forced to a replay with Norwich which went to extra-time and penalties in the third round, before beating Newcastle, Hull, Leicester – after extra-time – and Southampton.
Speculation is rife the Wembley date will be Antonio Conte's last after two years as head coach, with the Italian’s body language in recent weeks suggesting that could well be the case.
He will be hoping to go out on a high with his side, while going one better than last year after losing in the final to Arsenal.
The Blues ended the season extremely poorly, drawing with Huddersfield before going 3-0 down at Newcastle on the final day and Cesc Fabregas has been speaking about the importance of Eden Hazard in Saturday's game, as they look to defeat their former manager.
You can back Hazard and Chelsea in a score-and-win double at 4/1, but I really cannot see the Blues claiming an eighth FA Cup. They look down and out, with Conte a dead man walking and they need to be at the races for their last game of the season.
United should be too strong on the day. Although they were not exactly thrilling in their final three league outings, Mourinho knows how to get them up for big games and they should really take the game to the Londoners. I can see both teams scoring, so Man United to win and BTTS at 11/2 is worth a stake, while just an outright win (7/4) in 90 minutes looks like good value.
Romelu Lukaku has netted five and assisted two goals in five FA Cup appearances this season, so backing the Belgian is a good shout as he comes up against his former club. He is 11/2 to score first, while a score-and-win double at 4s presents great value, as does 27/11 anytime.
Two of the last four FA Cup finals have gone to extra-time (a draw after 90 minutes can be backed at 11/5), and few would be surprised for this to happen with a Mourinho team. But with the uncertainty around Conte at Chelsea, I cannot see them upping their performance even if it is his last game in charge. And that is why I am opting for Man United and BTTS in the best bet, with Lukaku in a score-and-win as an excellent alternative.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-3 Manchester United (Sky Bet's odds: 22/1)
Best bet: Manchester United to win in 90 minutes and BTTS at 5/1
Alternative: Romelu Lukaku to score and Manchester United to win in 90 minutes at 4/1
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Last updated at 1545 BST 17/05/2018.
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