More than 1,200 officers will be stationed in and around Wembley as part of the huge policing operation for the historic Manchester derby FA cup final.
Manchester City and Manchester United face-off in the final of the world's oldest football competition for the first very first time at the London stadium on Saturday.
Each side has an official allocation of 30,500 tickets, with even more supporters of both expected to be inside the 90,000-capacity ground for the showpiece.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
Rail strikes have caused travel chaos, with no direct trains running between Manchester and London, with City, United and the FA all laying on extra coaches to try and compensate.
Kick-off has been brought forward to 3pm and supporters of both teams have been advised to use different motorway routes and specific allocated service stations to try and prevent flashpoints on the way to the capital.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, Ade Adelekan, who is overseeing the police operation said there was 'no intelligence' that there would be violence at the game.
However, he said the Metropolitan Police had been planning for the event for six months and that hundreds of officers would be on duty to deal with any incidents.
This includes dedicated football officers from GMP who he said 'know the fans' and will be travelling south in a move he described as 'very important.' He said they had also liaised with bosses at forces in the 'corridor' between Manchester and Wembley.
"This not just about the Met it's about the Met and its partner, which includes GMP, delivering what's going to be a safe, secure and enjoyable event for everyone that lives in London, that's going to the FA Cup final, and everyone who's coming from outside of London," he said.
"The reason I'm so comfortable with the plan is that we've been planning for this for about six months, with partners. That includes GMP, it includes West Midlands Police it includes British Transport Police, the FA and a whole host of other partners.
"So we've got a rather comprehensive plan. We're committing 1,200 officers to the ground. We have a public spaces protection order in place that will deal with anti-social behaviour. So I'm quite confident we've got a good plan and that everyone enjoys the final but safe and securely as well."
The side's meeting in the semi-finals of the competition in 2011 was marred by violent scenes afterwards with 34 arrests being made.
"We work on intelligence and there's nothing in the intelligence to suggest there's going to be any violence at this game whatsoever," DAC Adelekan continued. "But the plan is robust enough to intervene at the appropriate time and prevent violence from happening or intervene if violence is happening.
"Anyone who intends to disrupt the game or come for violence will be met with a very robust policing response and a very swift one.
"London is used, and the Met is used to, dealing with this" he said. "Whilst the FA Cup is going on there's going to be a number of concerts going on, there's the rehearsal of the Trooping of the Colour, and a whole host of other things, so London is used to dealing with large-scale sporting events."
GMP said they had been 'working closely with partners including other police forces and British Transport Police to ensure the day runs smoothly and that everyone can enjoy the game safely.'
They urged fans without tickets not to travel as 'there are no alternative sites for fans to gather in numbers' and told those attending the game to 'remember that you are representing Manchester.' There will also be an increased police presence in the city centre and across the city, they added.
Chief Superintendent at GMP, Colette Rose said: "This has been a great season and we’re really looking forward to seeing the first-ever all-Manchester FA Cup final. You can already feel the excitement and it will be great to see people out enjoying themselves.
"We want everyone across Greater Manchester - and those travelling down to Wembley - to enjoy the event safely. If you are travelling, you will need to plan your journey ahead and think about how you’re getting home.
"There will be a large police presence across the city of Manchester, as we always have for high-profile matches, to ensure the safety of everyone. If you have any concerns please speak to one of our officers who will be more than happy to assist where possible.
"To the fans, please remember that you are representing Manchester. The match is not an excuse for antisocial behaviour and we will take a firm approach to anyone ruining the day for the real football fans.
"It doesn't matter where you're watching the game. Don't let a moment of poor judgement lead to criminal prosecution or a match ban.
"Whatever the result, we are one city united. Be safe, be responsible, look out for each other and enjoy the game."
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
Manchester park announces major change for visitors starting next month
Amazon worker strangles partner in bed - then contacts police to confess
Man's chilling Snapchat warning to woman after stabbing three men with Rambo knife
College reveals 'exciting' £27m revamp - including proposals for 63 family homes
