Manchester City go into their second FA Cup final in three years knowing that they require a win to partially satisfy their frustrated fans, while Wigan will be aiming to knock off only the second Premier League team they've faced on route to lifting the coveted trophy.

Saturday, 11 May 2013

Venue – Wembley Stadium, London

Local Kick-off Time: 17:15

Previous 3 matches:
Manchester City:

1. 1-0 (h) West Brom
2. 0-0 (a) Swansea
3. 2-1 (h) West Ham

Wigan:

1. 2-3 (h) Swansea
2. 2-3 (a) West Bromwich Albion
3. 2-2 (h) Tottenham

Likely lineups:

Manchester City:

Pantilimion, Richards, Toure, Lescott, Kolarov, Garcia, Rodwell, Milner, Tevez, Nasri, Dzeko

Wigan:

Al-Habsi, Boyce, Caldwell, Scharner, Espinoza, Watson, McArthur, McCarthy, McManaman, Kone, Maloney

ANALYSIS AND TEAM NEWS

City’s last FA Cup final triumph at Wembley two years ago against Stoke sparked wild celebrations from a group of support which had been deprived of witnessing their side collect silverware in 35 years. A similar result in Saturday’s fixture will serve as a mere consolation to many, who have seen their side unable to replicate the form that earned them the Premier League last season. A disappointing exit from the UEFA Champions League earlier in the season adds extra pressure on Roberto Mancini’s men to deliver. They have swept aside Watford, Stoke City, Leeds United, Barnsley and cup holders Chelsea to reach the final..

Wigan on the other hand have overcome lower ranked sides, but for Everton, whom they overcame in the Quarter Finals of this season’s instalment. Bournemouth, Macclesfield Town, Huddersfield Town and Millwall have are the other sides who have succumbed to the Latics.

In normal circumstances, their participation in their first FA Cup final would appear to be their main concern, but their continued existence in the Premier League is currently a more impending matter. Martinez’s men are in the relegation zone and will be hoping that a decent performance at Wembley will inspire a bright finish to the season. Wigan will take solace from the fact that they have sealed a spot in next season’s 2013/14 Europa League, notwithstanding the result on Saturday.

Manchester City will have the services of key midfielder Yaya Toure, who sat out the midweek fixture against West Bromwich Albion in preparation for his date at Wembley.

Scott Sinclair is the only player who is guaranteed to miss the match, as he recovers from recent surgery.

Joe Hart is set to miss out, with Costel Pantilimion seemingly likely to take his place between the posts for Mancini. The decision to start Samir Nasri or James Milner will prove to be a difficult one, but the latter’s outstanding form of late may mean he gets the nod.

Wigan’s leaky defence has given Martinez a few selection headaches, with skipper Gary Caldwell and Roger Espinoza’s recent performances instilling a heap of doubt into the back four. James McCarthy’s impressive season will make him an important figure, while ex-Celtic man Shaun Maloney, whose contribution against Milwall earned him praise will be hoping to make a similar mark. Aroune Kone will need to step up to trouble the best defence in the league, which will feature the likes of Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic.

Oman’s Ali Al-Habsi looks certain to replace Joel Robles in goal.

Wigan will know that a one-off cup tie can always go either way, but with Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez leading the front line for City, coupled with a resolute defence, Wigan may well have their work well and truly cut out.

DID YOU KNOW?

*City have won both previous encounters between the two sides, first back in 1971 and then in 2006.

*City have prevailed in 10 of their last 11 games, having only lost one.

*The Latics have lost their last 7 games against the Blues in the league.

*Wigan will be making their first appearance as an FA Cup finalist, with the other team ever winning in their first final being Wimbledon in 1988.

*The winning team will collect £1.8m and the runners-up £900,000.

PREDICTION: Manchester City 2-0 Wigan Athletic

Follow on Twitter @MoranShaun

Third will host the league leaders, but plenty at stake to play for...

Sunday 12 May 2013

Barcelona's equation is simple: beat third-placed Atletico Madrid and they will claim their fourth La Liga title in five years. And there is plenty of good news surrounding the club, as Sergio Busquets and Pedro look like comsing straight into the line-up, as both have regained full fitness. Goalkeeper Jose Pinto could also see some league action, as Victor Valdes's injured foot has not healed in time. Javier Mascherano has returned to training this week, but is unlikely to play. The Blaugrana will also want to sew up the domestic as fast as possible, to completely put behind them what happened in the semi-final of the Champions League.

Atletico have been going about their business in the usual fashion, and secured a spot in next season's major European competition with a midweek 3-1 away win over Celta Vigo. And the reason that the Rojiblancos played Celta earlier than anticipated (as that game was scheduled for Week 36) is because of the impeding Madrid derby and Copa del Rey final. Diego Simeone may opt to rest several key stars for this clash, with the aim of claiming another piece of silverware. 

it could be the Radamel Falcao versus Lionel Messi show if both superstars are selected.

Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona 

Milan can lock in a spot in next season's Champions League if they defeat inconsistent Roma on Sunday evening...

Sunday 12 May 2013

Milan made sure that their objective of playing in next season's Champions League was very close to being secured when the side defeat relegation-bound Pescara 4-0 midweek. Mario Balotelli was the star of the show with a brace - including a penalty kick, which he has remarkably never missed from - and goals from Sulley Muntari and Mathieu Flamini. On top of this, coach  Massimiliano Allegri will also welcome back Kevin-Prince Boateng into the line-up, after serving his one-match suspension. It has been a positive campaign for the Rossoneri, especially considering many people believed they would struggle to make any form of European competition at the start of the season based on who left the club.

Roma have been their usual selves once again in 2012/13. Looking brilliant one minute, and then capitulating the next. And that is exactly what has happened to the Giallorossi over the past week. Managing to defeat direct Europa League rivals FIorentina 1-0 on Sunday, Andrea Andreazzoli's side were still in contention to claim a spot in the Europa League. But a loss to Chievo at the Stadio Olimpico by the same scoreline has put a serious dent in their opportunities. Only three points will satisfy the tactician.

Expect both sides to score in this one, as there is a lot riding on the result.

Prediction: AC Milan 2-1 Roma

Lazio have all but an end Inter Milan's Europa League ambitions for next season whilst keeping theirs alive with a convincing 3-1 win at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on Wednesday evening.

A defensive blunder after 22 minutes gave the visitors the lead, as Samir Handanovic turned the ball into the back of his own net. Ricardo Alvarez restored parity after the half-hour before Hernanes put Lazio back in front on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot. Defender Ogenyi Onazi ensured the three would be travelling to Rome with a long-range effort with 13 minutes remaining.

Mateo Kovacic found a way through a group of Biancocelesti defenders on 10 minutes to slide a pass to Tommaso Rocchi, but the forward couldn't smash the ball past Federico Marchetti and score against his former side.

Despite the positivity from the home side, a lack of communication between Handanovic and Andrea Ranocchia saw the goalkeeper fail to claim an Andrea Candreva cross, instead deflecting it into the back of the net.

Candreva could added his name to the scoresheet two minutes later as Lazio's counterattack saw the midfielder drag his shot wide of the mark.

However, Inter came right back into the match after 34 minutes when Alvaro Pereira made enough space on the left to put in a cross for Alvarez, who leapt over Lorik Cana to head the ball into the underside of the bar and into the net to make it 1-1.

Esteban Cambiasso almost then gave the Nerazzurri the lead moments later as the midfielder's strike forced a high-quality save from Marchetti, as the 'keeper parried the ball onto the post and behind.

But Vladimir Petkovic's men were handed the lead just before the half-time break as Sergio Floccari was fouled by Ranocchia, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Hernanes stepped up and smashed the ball into the corner to give the visitors a 2-1 lead in his 100th Lazio appearance.

Fredy Guarin had a trio of chances upon the game restarting but could not manage to convert one before the hour mark.

And the Colombian's persistence paid off as he drew a foul inside the penalty area against Cana. The referee pointed once again to the spot, but Alvarez's attempt saw the ball sail off target.

Handanovic looked to have made somewhat of a mends from his earlier error when he stopped a well-struck Hernanes long-range effort, but the former Udinese player failed to get a fingertip to the Onazi thunderbolt with 13 minutes remaining.

The loss concedes Inter to no European action next season and their 15th defeat this term. Lazio remain with a chance to qualify for the second-tier club competition.