PICK OF THE SPORT: Dylan Bettencourt recommends you watch the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City on Saturday.
The FA Cup final will be a grace-saving highlight for Manchester United in a dull season.
They have just one problem, though. They come up against their fierce rivals, Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola and his City side will go into the fixture as overwhelming favourites, given they were crowned Premier League champions less than a week ago.
More so, this is an exact repeat of last season’s final, in which City came out on top after a brace from İlkay Gündoğan.
United may find joy that Gündoğan now plays for Barcelona, but Erik ten Hag will know his side are the underdogs.
A victory for United will mean they get to play in the Uefa Europa League next season, which would be a massive bonus for winning the domestic trophy.
Despite Guardiola’s massive success in other competitions, surprisingly, he has only won the FA Cup twice, which will inspire him to push his side to win his third on Saturday.
Wembley will again host the FA Cup final live on DStv channel 203 at 4pm.
➤ Two not-to-be-missed rugby finals happen this weekend. The Sharks face their biggest season challenge when they play Gloucester in the European Rugby Challenge Cup final. It’s the Sharks’ last chance to get some silver on the shelf.
Neither side excelled in league matches, with Gloucester finishing second last in the Premiership and the Sharks winning only four matches from 17 games.
The Sharks team is not short of world-class players. Aphelele Fassi, Werner Kok, Makazole Mapimpi and bright new star Siya Masuku can all create magic in the backline. Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche are expected to dominate in the forwards.
Leinster plays Stade Toulouse at the RDS Arena in Dublin in the more senior European Rugby Champions Cup final. Much has been made in the European press about the influence of “experienced” Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber, who is said to give his side the winning edge. The closely contested match will go to the side that wants it the most.
Gloucester vs Sharks on Friday at 9pm
Leinster vs Stade Toulouse on Saturday at 3.45pm
Both matches will be live on DStv channels 201 and 211.
➤ Formula 1 makes its most luxurious and expensive stop of the season, with the Grand Prix set to take place in Monaco.
Although the Monaco race has been deemed somewhat boring in recent years, stunning views of the wealthy city-state and its lavish lifestyle make it unique.
The gap between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in his Mercedes and McLaren and Ferrari seems to be closing with every race as the challengers keep improving.
The qualifier, which takes place at 4pm on Saturday, is perhaps the most important weekend session due to the difficult overtaking opportunities for the main race on Sunday.
The race will be live on Sunday at 3pm on DStv channel 215.
Pictured above: Last season’s FA Cup final.
Image source: The FA
