CONTE’S CUP FINAL HOODOO

ANTONIO CONTE will be feeling added pressure given his poor record in cup finals. The Italian has lost both his finals as a manager, in the Coppa Italia with Juventus in 2012 and in this competition last year. Chelsea arrived at Wembley last season as overwhelming favourites. They had won 30 of their 38 Premier League games, but were undone by an Arsenal side who beat them at their own game. Unlike Conte, Mourinho is a serial cup winner. He has won 12 of his last 14 finals and all six with English clubs. It will be interesting to see if he tries to copy Chelsea’s system and lines up with a back three. He tried that at Stamford Bridge in November last year and lost 1-0. When Chelsea visited Old Trafford in February, Mourinho then reverted to a back four and United won 2-1. Chelsea were so poor against Newcastle last weekend. Their players looked like they were no longer enjoying their football. The temptation for United would be to go for it, yet neither team have ended the season in particularly prolific form. I can see Mourinho setting up to slug it out with Chelsea and hoping that his team produce more quality in the final third.