Manchester City have played two Championship teams in their run to this stage and dismissed both easily. This included a 6-0 win over the only team proven to be better than Sheffield United in the Championship this season in Burnley. This match is going to be different to that one though for many reasons.

Firstly, this is at Wembley. There hasn’t been a three goal margin in a Wembley FA Cup semifinal since Chelsea thrashed Spurs 5-1 in 2012, albeit only 4 Championship clubs have made it to an FA Cup semifinal since then. All four of them lost to Premier League opposition, Arsenal were involved twice, beating Wigan Athletic on penalties and beating Reading 2-1. The last lower league opposition to lose by more than two goals in an FA Cup semifinal were West Ham United who lost 4-0 to Nottingham Forest in 1991.

History would therefore suggest that this match will be tighter than most suspect. The problem is that history doesn’t really tally to the current situation. The difference in quality between Manchester City, probably the best team in Europe, and even the bottom of the Premier League, is greater than at any point in history.

Also, Manchester City are in serene form. They have discovered that rhythm that they are famous for in the Pep era of scoring goals in clutches and then easing home. Recent results read 1-1 in Munich, 3-1, 3-0, 4-1, 4-1, 6-0, 7-0, and Sheffield United would be firm second favourites against any one of those opponents that Manchester City have already dismissed.

United have a firm rearguard and in Championship action I have often backed them to win to nil and felt confident in their ability to keep opponents at arm’s length. I just feel like this City side have too many weapons and too much quality for Sheffield United to contain.

We are expecting Manchester City to score at least twice then for the handicap bet to come in. Who could score or provide those goals?

Erling Haaland is the absolutely obvious choice, he is also incredibly short as a result of that obviousness. The next player that I would consider is Kevin De Bruyne.

Despite the Belgian taking a tiny bit of criticism earlier in the season, the playmaker has risen to the boil once more and has been superb of late. Taking him in the to score or assist market means that his dead ball proficiency comes into play, which could play a key part in this match.

He has assisted in his last three Premier League matches, taking him over the 100 assists mark in the Premier League, and he also assisted the goal in the Allianz Arena in midweek.

De Bruyne was at the heart of everything in the Burnley FA Cup quarterfinal and registered two assists in that match. His price is short, but the options are many for Kevin De Bruyne to be involved in a goal. He is also likely to remain on the pitch for as long as Man City need to see out the victory, by which time they may have two or three goals.

Another Man City man that is always relied upon on the big occasion is Rodri. The powerful midfielder is obviously mainly in the team to be a solid and enterprising presence in central midfield but he does also have the tendency to pop up in the big games with shots and goals.

Here we only need him to register a shot, which he can do in a variety of ways. He is often a target from set pieces and he is very proficient in the air. But he can run forward and break the lines as well, and turn up on the end of open play crosses. Rodri is not averse to a shot from the edge of the box either and his record is quite good.

He averages 1.7 shots per game in the Premier League in 22/23, and 1.4 per match in the Champions League. Recently that comes to 21 shots in 12 Premier League matches, and though he often has multiple shots per match we don’t need to take the risk for a Bet Builder selection.

The referee for this semifinal is Stuart Atwell. Atwell gives around 20 fouls per match on average, with a 3.69 yellows per match average.

I don’t particularly want to get involved in a guessing game about how many yellows may be dished out in this match. With it being a one-off occasion between two teams from different leagues and one which is likely to play out that one team has around 75% possession there are too many variables to try and put into an educated lean on the lines involved in cards.

However, it feels very possible to take advantage of some of the foul prices quoted. We all know that Jack Grealish is one of the most fouled players in football, this remains the case, in the last ten Manchester City matches he has been fouled twice as many times as the next City player.

George Baldock is currently being played as the right wing back for Sheffield United. Baldock isn’t usually a player who would be a massive fouler, though he has 9 fouls in his last 6 Championship matches. However, Sheffield United are almost certain to play 5 at the back, with the wing-backs likely to be back in the defensive line for most of the match. Baldock is likely to be up against Grealish for at least a couple of duels.

The other player who might encounter Grealish, and if not, then Erling Haaland, is Anel Ahmedhodzic. The Bosnian is a physical player who likes to get involved in the match and is definitely going to be up for the match here. He has fouled at least once in 11 of his last 13 Championship matches and looks to be a good price to commit at least one foul here as he is likely to shift out to cover on Grealish as well.

And finally, Jack Grealish is one to bite back as well. He is a leader of the press when Manchester City lose the ball. He has committed fouls in his last five Premier League matches, indeed he has 10 in those five alone. City are going to recognise that Sheffield United will not be used to the intensity and athleticism of the top teams in the country in winning the ball back and it could be a key route to goal for them.