Liverpool vs. West Ham
Liverpool and West Ham meet in the 125th FA Cup final on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 2, in the last time the showpiece event will be held at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
The Reds won the first ever final in Wales, beating Arsenal 2-1 in 2001, and are the firm favourites to do the same again before the prestigious competition finally returns to the all-new Wembley.
Rafa Benitez has a fantastic chance to win his second major trophy in as many seasons at Anfield, although Hammers counterpart Alan Pardew will be looking to cap a fantastic season for the London side by claiming the club's fourth win - the last coming under recently deceased former boss John Lyall in 1980.
Both Lyall and Ron Greenwood will be in the forefront of The Hammers' minds as they attempt to usurp the odds, and Pardew's men will also be able to draw on the memory of last season's play-off win in Cardiff.
Liverpool remain firm favourites for the clash though, and have extensive pedigree in the competition having won six of their previous 12 final appearances. However their preparations have been somewhat overshadowed by a row over stolen tickets.
Surviving an early scare at Championship Luton in the third round, The Reds then disposed of four Premiership teams, Portsmouth, Manchester United, Birmingham City and Chelsea, en route to the final and come into the game on the back of a record 11 consecutive wins in all competitions.
Of further encouragement to Benitez is the fact that only Xabi Alonso remains a fitness doubt, although striker Robbie Fowler is cup-tied after playing for Manchester City earlier in the competition.
The Spanish midfielder injured his ankle on the last day of the Premiership season against Portsmouth to spark a fitness race, but insists he is positive about avoiding a repeat of last season's heart-break that saw him miss the Carling Cup final defeat to Chelsea.
Dietmar Hamann could occupy a central role alongside Mohamed Sissoko should Alonso fail to recover, with inspirational captain Steven Gerrard a possible replacement for the suspended Luis Garcia on the right - although Djibril Cisse could also fill in.
The former Barcelona forward misses out along with West Ham's Hayden Mullins after the two clashed in the Premiership meeting on April 26, with both players rueing their lack of self-control after failed appeals to The FA.
Aside from Mullins, West Ham will be hoping that both Matthew Etherington and Dean Ashton are able to shake off injuries to break an FA Cup jinx that has seen the London side fail to beat Liverpool in four meetings.
January signing Ashton is rated at 60-40 to appear, and may be asked to play through the pain barrier after returning to training from a hamstring injury.
Indeed, West Ham kicked off their run to the final with victory over Ashton's former club Norwich City, before also disposing of Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City and Middlesbrough.
Etherington is also doubtful due to an ankle knock but has been a key player in a fantastic campaign for Pardew, and The Hammers will be desperate to patch him up in time for the end of season finale.
Two of Pardew's men have the chance to make history on Saturday, as Nigel Reo-Coker, celebrating being named as stand-by for England's World Cup campaign, will become the youngest ever captain to lift the trophy should his side win - a record currently held by another former Hammers captain in Bobby Moore.
Veteran striker Teddy Sheringham would also be the oldest player to score in a final at the age of 40, and all of his guile and experience could be needed as The Hammers attempt to provide yet another shock in a competition that is renowned for its romantic underdog stories.
FA Cup Final
Linear Mode
