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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Stuart Brennan & Joe Bray & Daniel Murphy

How Man City should line up in the FA Cup final against Watford

Man City are on the edge of making history. After already claiming the Carabao Cup and Premier League title this season, should they win the FA Cup on Saturday they will become the first team in England to ever win a domestic treble.

Standing in their way is Watford, who are also looking to make a bit of history of their own and win their first ever major trophy.

Watford will be coming into the final without any fresh injury concerns and the added boost that star left-back Jose Holebas will be available after his red card on the final day of the season was overturned.

City, on the other hand, will be without Benjamin Mendy and Fernandinho remains a doubt even though he trained this week with strapping on his injured knee.

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The Hornets will no doubt once again look to frustrate City by sitting deep and looking to attack with their pace and quality on the counter, so City will need to find a way to unlock a stubborn defence.

Read how our writers have predicted Pep Guardiola's last line up of the season, and use the widget at the bottom of the page to select your starting XI:

Stu Brennan

Nothing less than the strongest team will do for this one - and picking Vincent Kompany will not be a sentimental choice, given the chance that he will leave.

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He has been the pick of the centre backs in recent weeks, and is the best antidote to Troy Deeney's physical threat - it will be a real battle, and City need their leader.

In midfield, if Kevin De Bruyne has trained well all week, he deserves a big finish to the season. No-one would be surprised if Pep picks Phil Foden instead of David Silva, but for me experience is important in a final.

If De Bruyne is ready to start, it also allows Bernardo Silva to work on the right touchline, where he has been so effective recently.

Stu's team: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko; De Bruyne, Gundogan, D. Silva; Bernardo, Aguero, Sterling.

Joe Bray

Pep Guardiola needs to go strong to ensure City win their third major trophy of the season - but it is also a last chance for some of his players to impress.

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Leroy Sane and John Stones have found themselves on the bench recently, and both deserve the call to start. Likewise with Gabriel Jesus, who has performed well in the FA Cup this season and has been patient behind Sergio Aguero this season.

It is also a chance for Phil Foden to continue his development in the biggest stage of his career. The youngster performed well in the season opener at Wembley in the Community Shield, so will not be fazed by an FA Cup final. At the same time, it is a tough call between Foden and Kevin de Bruyne, who will want to finish a frustrating season on a high.

Joe's team: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko; Foden, Fernandinho, Bernardo; Sterling, Jesus, Sane.

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Daniel Murphy

With the incredible form City have been in for the last few months of the season - 12 straight victories - it's difficult to see Guardiola changing much of his team here, even if he is prone  to a strange selection in big games.

The only change I can forsee is, if he's fit enough, Kevin De Bruyne returning to the starting line-up. The change would be in place of Riyad Mahrez, who could count himself unlucky after his fine goal against Brighton, but the Belgian has been missed.

His drive and creativity from midfield has been lacking in recent weeks and it may well be needed against such a stubborn defence like Watford's.

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The move would also push Bernardo Silva back into a more advanced position, where he has played his best football this season.

Elsewhere no changes appear to be needed.

Daniel's team: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko; De Bruyne, Gundogan, Silva; Bernardo, Aguero, Sterling.

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