Man City vs Liverpool
FA Youth Cup Final 2019-19
Venue: Academy Stadium, Manchester
Date: Thursday, 25 April, 2019
Kick-off: 7.45pm BST,
Manchester City Under-18s have home advantage as they face Liverpool Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup Final on Thursday evening.
Barry Lewtas's young Reds side are gunning for the league title after missing out to Manchester United last season and looking to win the cup claimed by Chelsea.
It's been a tougher season for City, who finished runners-up in the league 12 months ago and are now looking at a fifth-placed finish at best.
City and Liverpool meet in the league on the April 30, just five days after the final, but this is Gareth Taylor and his Young Blues's season-defining game.
Man City U18s vs Liverpool U18s team news
Midfielder Tommy Doyle, grandson of legendary City players Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe, is one to keep an eye on after scoring in the semi-final win over West Brom.
City will look to Henri Ogunby for the goals, though D'Margio Wright-Phillips - son of Shaun and grandson of Ian Wright - is a threat from wide right abd Ben Knight, signed from Ipswich last summer in a deal reportedly worth up to £1million, through the centre.
Liverpool's danger man is Bobby Duncan, signed from City last season in a deal worth around £200,000. The 17-year-old has scored 18 in 18 in the league. Paul Glatzel is another huge threat up top.
Key to Liverpool's defensive solidity is midfield pair Elijah Dixon-Bonner and Leighton Clarkson, while centre-back Rhys Williams will step up to the Under-23s from next season.
Ki-Jana Hoever, a right-back, made his first-team debut this season in the FA Cup third round loss at Wolves, playing 84 minutes. Rafael Camacho, midfielder, also played in that game and made his Premier League debut a few weeks later as a late substitution against Crystal Palace.
Score prediction: Man City 0-1 Liverpool
This will prove to be a tight encounter for Liverpool should edge it.
The Reds are a formidable team, averaging over two goals a game across the league season and that increases to over three for their run in the Cup.
City have dropped off from last term and, despite home advantage, may find Liverpool's firepower - spearheaded by former player Bobby Duncan - too much to handle with just five clean sheets all season.
Betting tips
Betfair do not supply odds for the FA Youth Cup Final.
FA Youth Cup Final tickets
The window to purchase tickets has now passed.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Man City beat Liverpool the last time the two teams faced each other at the Academy Stadium, running out 2-0 winners, but that was last season.
Liverpool earned bragging rights most recently, as highly rated forward Bobby Duncan netted in the 90th minute to secure a 1-0 win in front of a home crowd.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 4K UHD from 7.30pm. BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
Standard Sport will be LIVE at the Academy Stadium in Manchester on the night to bring you expert coverage and analysis.
You can also follow all the action on Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
