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Pep Guardiola Man City

Manchester City and Chelsea take on each other in an all-English Champions League final this weekend and most people have their money on City to see this one through.

The Blues have already beaten Manchester City twice in the past couple of months but still, it’s Pep Guardiola’s side who are the favourites to win on Saturday.

The Blues have just about managed to make it into the top-four of the Premier League table this season while Man City have wrapped up the title with a few games to spare. This means Pep Guardiola has gotten a fair amount of time to plot and prepare for this final.

And according to pundit Michael Owen, two major things could help Manchester City overcome the Chelsea test in the final.

Owen wrote for BetVictor: “For the second time in three years, the UEFA Champions League final will be contested by two English clubs. Manchester City have finally shaken off their hoodoo of missing out at the quarter-final stage, and in some style.

“The Citizens were worthy winners over two legs against PSG in the semis, and given their all-out assault domestically, they rightfully come into this as favourites.

“However, one blot in their pursuit for a treble came against Chelsea in the FA Cup. Thomas Tuchel masterminded a 1-0 win, so there’s no doubt the Londoners will quietly fancy their chances here.

“With the league sewn up a couple of weeks ago, City have had ample time to prepare for this. That can only be of benefit to Pep Guardiola, and given Chelsea’s recent dip in form, it’s hard to make a case against City lifting their first Champions League trophy.

“I think Chelsea will sit in here and try to catch City on the counter, however, with Manchester City so powerful on the attack, keeping them out is the ultimate test.

“With that in mind, I’m going for City to win their first and much coveted, Champions League trophy with a 2-0 victory.”

Manchester City have been one of the best teams in Europe this season and their attackers have the capability of breaking down almost any defensive unit. Chelsea, on the other hand, have a superb defensive record ever since Thomas Tuchel’s taken charge so there’s no doubt it will be attack vs defence on Saturday with the Blues looking to counter on the break.

Man City are expected to play with a false-nine in the final and this could prove to be the undoing for Chelsea since Thiago Silva and the other defenders will have no particular striker to mark but at the same time, they will need to be on their toes.

Read: Chelsea team news vs Manchester City – UCL.

Read: Man City’s team news vs Chelsea – UCL.

Read: Chelsea man explains why they can beat Manchester City in the final despite being the underdogs.

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