Stoke and Manchester City: How the FA Cup Final might be closer than it looks.

Hello, Bleachers. This is my first article on the site, and I hope you all enjoy it.

The FA Cup Final is looming large on the 14th of May, and prior to this last weekend, many assumed the winner to be a foregone conclusion. Manchester City is the richest club in the world, and they boast an impressive team sheet that is crammed with international-level players. They are vying for a Champions League place next season, and people see this as the opportunity for City to end their trophy drought after 35 years without silverware.

On the face of it, it’s hard to disagree. Although Tevez is doubtful to play, City still have the firepower of Edin Dzeko and the tempestuous but talented Mario Balotelli. They are ably supported by a dangerous midfield, full of goalscorers and game winners in their own right and have a good back line commanded by the oft impressive Joe Hart—who could well make the England No. 1 jersey his own if his form continues. 

Their opponents are Stoke City, currently eighth in the Premier League, who last made it to an FA Cup semifinal in the 1971/72 season. This is their first time at the final, and I will be surprised if they don’t go for this with everything they have.

Defeating Arsenal at the weekend will have done just the trick.

Stoke beat Arsenal 3-1, which is an impressive feat. Take nothing away from Stoke; for anyone to get a result like that against the Gunners is something to be happy about. This will have given Stoke a massive boost for this weekend, especially as (unlike City) they will have had a free week and will be fresh.

City are playing Blackburn on the 10th who, given that their next game is against Manchester United, will be keeping a wary eye on the relegation zone and will play all the harder for it. City will have a mid-week hangover, and will be facing a Stoke side who will give it their all. Stoke have nothing to lose and everything to gain going into this match as underdogs. If they do lose, many will shrug, having expected it. But if they win... 

The FA Cup Final is always an intriguing affair, and has seen its share of shocks and upsets over the years. The last notable upset came in 1988 when Wimbledon beat Liverpool. Does anyone else think another might be due?

The other thing to consider is that Manchester City’s players (and manager) will be playing to justify their price tags.

A lot of heat was created over City and their spending sprees in the transfer window. I think scrapping for a Champions League place is not the best way of vindicating oneself when the team has a collective price tag of over £800 million. City will be out for glory, but have a habit of fluffing their lines on certain occasion—especially against mid and lower table competition. They have beaten Chelsea and Liverpool in the League this season, and knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup (how good did that feel, I wonder). However, they have dropped points to Everton (twice), Fulham, Wolves and Wigan, and they drew when they last played Stoke.

Whatever happens on Saturday, it might not be the foregone conclusion that some people are expecting.