Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho goes up against his former club Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Mourinho won the FA Cup with Chelsea in 2007 when his old club beat his current club after extra time thanks to Didier Drogba’s winning goal. With 12 FA Cup final wins in their history, Mourinho will hope to lead United to a record-equalling 13th success and tie with Arsenal for the record.
Chelsea are going for an eighth FA Cup final win in what could be Antonio Conte’s last match in charge. After failing to secure Champions League football next season the Italian is expected to leave Stamford Bridge.
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Conte said: “For us this game is very important because we have in a difficult season [the chance] to finish the season with a trophy. We have to try to do everything to win the game.”
In this guide we look at the latest team news, betting odds and why Saturday’s match is billed as the “Ray Wilkins Final”.
2018 Emirates FA Cup final guide
- Who: Chelsea vs. Manchester United
- When: Saturday 19 May
- Where: Wembley Stadium, London
- Kick-off time: 5.15pm
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- Prize money: the winners will get £1.8m
Chelsea team news
Blues boss Conte will be without injured duo David Luiz and Ethan Ampadu for the final, the Daily Star reports. The Daily Express says Conte will have a selection decision to make between strikers Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata. Thibaut Courtois is expected to start in goal.
Manchester United team news
Speaking to media in the pre-match press conference United boss Mourinho revealed that Anthony Martial is fit to face Chelsea at Wembley but striker Romelu Lukaku will have a late fitness test.
Mourinho said: “Martial is fit and Lukaku we have to wait until the last moment. I don’t want to lie to you and say he doesn’t play and then he plays or vice versa, so [on] Lukaku, we have to wait.”
Despite missing the past two matches through injury midfielder Marouane Fellaini travelled to London with the squad.
How to watch the FA Cup final
Kicking off at 5.15pm, the FA Cup final will be shown live on BBC One and on BT Sport 2. BT’s coverage starts at 4pm and the BBC’s starts at 5pm. BBC’s Match of the Day will show highlights on Saturday evening.
‘Ray Wilkins Final’
Saturday’s final will be played between two former clubs of Ray Wilkins, who passed away last month. The match is being called the “Ray Wilkins Final” and tributes will be paid to the former England player who won the cup - and scored - with United in 1983 as well as coaching Chelsea to three finals in 2000, 2009 and 2010.
The Football Association has confirmed that his wife, Jackie, will present the cup to the winning team from the Royal Box on Saturday. Banners will also be unveiled in both the United and Chelsea ends in his memory before kick-off.
FA chairman Greg Clarke said: “It is particularly fitting that both clubs and the wider football community will unite to remember Ray Wilkins on the day. Ray had a longstanding affinity with the competition, winning it as both a player and as an assistant manager. He is sorely missed.”
Best man plans instead of the cup final?
Kensington Palace has confirmed that Prince William will miss the FA Cup final because of his commitments at the royal wedding.
The Duke of Cambridge, who is president of the Football Association (FA), is best man to his brother Prince Harry who is getting married to Meghan Markle on Saturday in Windsor. An FA spokesperson told the BBC: “We wish the Duke and the happy couple a wonderful day.”
FA Cup final betting odds
Latest prices according to Oddschecker (as of 17 May).
Winners:
- Manchester United to win: 7/4
- Chelsea to win: 2/1
- Draw: 11/5
First goalscorer:
- Romelu Lukaku: 11/2
- Eden Hazard: 13/2
- Alvaro Morata: 13/2
- Olivier Giroud: 13/2
- Marcus Rashford: 7/1
- No Goalscorer: 7/1
- Alexis Sanchez: 15/2
- Anthony Martial: 8/1
- Jesse Lingard: 9/1
- Willian: 10/1
