City should win Cup but …
Manchester City are fancied to take the first of what could prove a glittering haul of silverware this season when they meet Arsenal in Sunday's League Cup final at Wembley.
With a runaway lead in the league and a fancied position in the UEFA Champions League, Pep Guardiola's side could be on for a clean sweep, but it is a tricky tie that awaits and is difficult to forecast, even considering City's rampant form in this campaign.
They meet an Arsenal side whose season can be partly redeemed by cup success. This is a trophy Arsenal have not won under Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners have had the advantage of a lengthy break after last Thursday's Europa League victory in Sweden, where they easily beat Ostersund, and will field a second-string side in this week’s return to rest their key players for Sunday's game.
"I will try to win the game again - maybe rotate and play the players who didn't play last night," said Wenger after the 3-0 away success.
Arsenal might much rather be playing in Champions League, alongside City, but the Europa League has helped engender positivity simply by virtue of winning games.
Manchester City have put together one of the best campaigns by any team in the top flight of English football, but it could all unravel if they do not achieve the end result.
The league title looks there for the taking, but cup finals are much about who pitches on the day and Arsenal have a knack of getting it right at Wembley as TAB soccer players are all too aware.
The irony of this game is that it kicks off just a few hours after a league clash at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Chelsea, which is likely to hog all the headlines.
Not for the right reasons though, but rather the prospect of a new chapter in the continuing spat between managers Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho.
It last flared over the New Year when Conte replied to a thinly-veiled dig from Mourinho referring to him as a “clown” by calling the Special One “fake” and a “little man” with no profile.
The Italian was irked by Mourinho raising a match-fixing claim that was levelled at Conte during his time at Siena, of which the 48-year-old was eventually cleared of any wrong-doing.
Roll on the histrionics, but don't forget the football with a draw the best play for TAB soccer punters.