We have a fascinating weekend of finals to look forward to, with the Emirates FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United standing out. We’ll also be previewing the Scottish FA Cup final between Celtic and Motherwell.
It’s also the final weekend of the season in La Liga and Serie A, with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Napoli all in action for one final time.
- Chelsea v Manchester United – Manchester United Win (8/5 at Betfred)
- Celtic v Motherwell – Celtic HT/FT (20/23 at Coral)
- Villarreal v Real Madrid – Real Madrid Win (31/20 at Bet365)
- Barcelona v Real Sociedad – Barcelona to Win -2 (11/8 at Betfair)
- Juventus v Verona – Juventus to Win to Nil (4/7 at Bet365)
- Napoli v Crotone – Napoli to Win 3-0 (14/1 at BetVictor)
FA Cup
Chelsea and Man United contest the 137th FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium this Saturday. This will be United’s 20th final appearance (the joint most with Arsenal), with their last success coming two years ago when they beat Crystal Palace 2-1. The Gunners are the only club to have won the FA Cup more times than the Red Devils. Chelsea, who lost in the final last year, will be looking for an eighth FA Cup trophy.
Chelsea v Manchester United – 19th May 2018
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea and Jose Mourinho’s Man United lock horns in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Each team won their home fixture in the Premier League this season, but who will prevail in the national stadium at the weekend?
On their way to the final, the Blues have seen off the likes of Norwich City, Newcastle United, Hull City, Leicester City and Southampton. United, meanwhile eased past Derby County, Yeovil Town, Huddersfield Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur, conceding just one goal along the way.
This is a repeat of the 2007 final, which was won by Chelsea under the management of Mourinho. Jose has been very successful in cup competitions during his short time at Old Trafford, and we can see him adding another one to his CV on Saturday. The Red Devils win in the 90 is priced at 8/5 with Betfred.
Manchester United Win – 8/5 at Betfred
Scottish FA Cup
Brendan Rodgers’ dominant Celtic will be looking for yet another trophy this weekend. On Saturday afternoon, the Scottish champions square off against Stephen Robinson’s Motherwell at Hampden Park in the Scottish FA Cup final. As expected, Celtic, who won the Premiership by nine points, are the overwhelming favourites to add another trophy to their growing cabinet.
Celtic v Motherwell – 19th May 2018
Having won the lot last year, Rodgers and Celtic are going for a second successive domestic league and cup treble on Saturday. Standing in their way are Motherwell, who finished their Premiership campaign in seventh.
Even though Celtic lost four times in the league this term, the Hoops dominated Scottish football once again. No club have won more Scottish Cups than Celtic, and you would be brave to bet against them sealing a 38th FA Cup this Saturday.
Well will no doubt have a real go at Hampden, but Celtic should be far too strong for them in Glasgow. Coral are offering 20/23 for the Bhoys to be winning at half time and full time on Saturday.
Celtic Half Time/Full Time – 20/23 at Coral
La Liga
Barcelona have run away with the title this year, accumulating a staggering 90 points with one game left. Incredibly, Ernesto Valverde’s Blaugrana were beaten for the first time in La Liga last weekend, losing 5-4 in a thriller at Levante. Nevertheless, the likes of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid haven’t laid a glove on Barca this season. This weekend, Valverde’s troops end their campaign with a home game against Real Sociedad.
Villarreal v Real Madrid – 19th May 2018
We kick things off in La Liga where Zinedine Zidane takes his Real Madrid side to the Estadio de la Ceramica to play Javier Calleja’s Villarreal. Los Blancos will be targeting a win ahead of next weekend’s UEFA Champions League final with Liverpool.
In terms of the league, Real had had a season to forget as they go into this final game a whopping 15 points behind rivals Barcelona. If Atleti get a point in their match against Eibar, Los Merengues won’t even finish second.
Villarreal have had another strong season, sitting fifth above Real Betis on goal difference. However, we can see Real sealing all three points here, with the away win available at 31/20 (Bet365).
Real Madrid Win – 31/20 at Bet365
Barcelona v Real Sociedad – 20th May 2018
After falling to a shock defeat at Levante last weekend, Barcelona will be looking to return to winning ways when they entertain Imanol Alguacil’s Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou on Sunday.
Valverde has had a remarkable first season in Catalonia, guiding the club to 27 wins from 37 matches in La Liga. At home, Barca have won 15 and drawn three of 18. This weekend, they welcome a Sociedad side who have lost 10 of their 18 league fixtures on the road.
This should be a stroll in the park for the champions, so check out Betfair’s top odds of 11/8 for the home team to win with a -2 goal handicap on Sunday.
Barcelona to Win -2 – 11/8 at Betfair
Serie A
It was an enthralling battle between Juventus and Napoli for top spot, with Massimiliano Allegri’s experienced team eventually getting over the line. Having led the division for so long, Partenopei were extremely unlucky not to have won their first Italian championship since the 1989-90 season. Juve will be celebrating their seventh successive Serie A title this weekend.
Juventus v Verona – 19th May 2018
With the title in the bag, Max Allegri’s Juventus will want to finish their successful campaign with a home win over Verona at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday. The Old Lady are strong favourites to reach 95 points with a win.
Juve have hit back tremendously well following their defeat to Napoli last month. Allegri’s troops have gone on to take seven points from a possible nine in Serie A, as well as thumping AC Milan in the Coppa Italia final.
Verona were relegated weeks ago, and we can’t see them putting up much of a fight in Turin this weekend. Back the hosts to win to nil at decent odds of 4/7 with Bet365.
Juventus to Win to Nil – 4/7 at Bet365
Napoli v Crotone – 20th May 2018
Napoli host Crotone at the Stadio San Paolo on Sunday. This is a bigger game for Walter Zenga’s Crotone, who currently occupy the final relegation spot in Serie A.
Gli Azzurri pushed Juve all the way, just coming up short in the end. As for Crotone, they sit in 18th on 35 points – but only two points separate 18th to 14th-placed Chievo on the final day.
This really is a must-win game for Zenga’s men, but we fancy Napoli to be too strong on their own patch. Put a few quid on Napoli to win 3-0 at the solid odds of 14/1 at BetVictor.
Napoli to Win 3-0 – 14/1 at BetVictor