FA Cup Final 2011

Saturday 14th May 2011 sees Manchester City take on Stoke City in the FA Cup final

Both teams look for their first major trophy in over 30 years. Early favourites Man City will be appearing in their first FA Cup final since their defeat to Spurs in 1981, with the City fans desperate for a taste of their first real silverware since the 1976 League Cup (something the Manchester United fans are keen to remind them of, courtesy of a now infamous banner at Old Trafford). Having recently qualified for next season's Champions League, City's expensively assembled squad will be under pressure to produce a performance at Wembley and give their fans another reason to do The Poznan, a celebration they have borrowed from the Lech Poznan fans after facing them in the Europa League earlier this season.

Stoke City will be appearing in their first ever FA Cup final and come into the Wembley showdown as underdogs, a role they appear to revel in, for a chance at their first major trophy in 39 years. A blistering 5-0 demolition of Bolton Wanderers in the semi-final will give Stoke fans hope that their side can cause an upset and through City's Champions League qualification, Stoke are already guaranteed of a European adventure next season. This is made all the more extraordinary when you consider that one large bookmaker paid out on bets for them to be relegated after the first game of the 2008/09 season, a loss to Bolton Wanderers.

Despite featuring in Tuesday's showdown with Spurs, there are still doubts over the fitness of mercurial Man City captain Carlos Tevez with all at the club keen for the Argentine striker to feature. Stoke have injury concerns of their own with Robert Huth a doubt after injuring himself in Stoke's 3-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday. Matthew Etherington's place in the squad is also in doubt as he recovers from a hamstring tear.

Who will you be placing a football bet on?

Can Tony Pulis's baseball cap defeat Robert Mancini's scarf? Will Tevez make a Roy of the Rovers style return to lead City to victory? Will Stoke score from a set-piece? Join now and put your money where your mouth is plus receive up to £200 free bets from our friends at bet365, No.1 for Football bets. If you're not going to the game you can watch it live on ITV and ESPN at 3pm GMT, don't forget to check out the in-play markets!