Jose Mourinho will be hoping to secure his first major silverware as Manchester United manager when his side take on Southampton in Sunday’s EFL Cup final.
Having lifted this trophy three times during his time at Chelsea, the Portuguese boss is available at 4/5 (1.80) with bet365 to match Brian Clough and Alex Ferguson’s record by holding it aloft for a fourth time with victory at Wembley.
However, the Saints are the first team since Tottenham Hotspur in 1982 to reach the final without conceding a single goal, and can be backed at 15/4 (5.75) to cause another upset against the side they defeated 1-0 in the 1976 FA Cup final to win their only major trophy to date.
GettyIt took penalties to separate Manchester City and Liverpool after a draw in last season’s final, and you can get odds of 5/2 (3.50) on this one also remaining all square after 90 minutes.
Although not always held in particularly high regard by all, Mourinho will think fondly of this competition as it provided him with a first piece of silverware in English football all the way back in 2005.
Having seen his side go on to win the Premier League that same year, the Red Devils manager will be hoping that victory in this final could spur the players in their remaining targets of FA Cup glory and Champions League qualification.
In contrast, Claude Puel’s team are unlikely to be looking beyond what represents a rare opportunity to bring home a trophy, with little left to play for in a league campaign that sees them marooned in mid-table.
However, three defeats in four since progressing to the final suggests Saints may have lost their focus somewhat, an issue their two-week break due to an early FA Cup elimination is unlikely to resolve.
Having won three consecutive games since Southampton’s last game to make it five wins in succession, an in-form United offer strong value at 4/5 (1.80) to maintain their winning habit at Wembley.
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Manchester United to win at 4/5 (1.80) for a 2.5pt stake with bet365 |
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