Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City | FA Cup | Final | Pre Match
Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City
The 144th FA Cup final is poised to captivate football fans worldwide as it takes center stage under the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium, where Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Manchester City will clash on Saturday afternoon in a contest that promises high stakes and intense drama. For Manchester City, this match represents an opportunity to further cement their storied legacy in English football by securing the prestigious FA Cup for the eighth time, a triumph that would draw them level with Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham in the competition’s historical rankings, with only Arsenal (14) and Manchester United (13) having claimed more titles. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are chasing a historic milestone of their own, as they aim to capture their first-ever piece of major silverware in their 120-year existence as a professional club. The contrast between the two sides—City’s trophy-laden pedigree versus Palace’s hunger for a maiden major honor—sets the stage for a compelling narrative, with the outcome hinging on tactical nous, individual brilliance, and the ability to seize the moment on one of football’s grandest stages. The anticipation is palpable, as over 30,000 Palace supporters and a sizable contingent of City faithful will fill Wembley’s stands, creating an electric atmosphere that will reverberate through the stadium and beyond. Will Crystal Palace finally break their FA Cup final curse, or will Manchester City’s relentless pursuit of silverware prevail once again?
For Crystal Palace, the journey to this Wembley showpiece has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by a blend of defensive resilience and attacking flair under the stewardship of manager Oliver Glasner. The Eagles have reached their third FA Cup final, having fallen short in their previous two appearances against Manchester United in 1990 and 2016, making them one of only four clubs—alongside Queen’s Park (1884 and 1885), Birmingham City (1931 and 1956), and Watford (1984 and 2019)—to compete in two finals without ever lifting the trophy. This unwanted record adds an extra layer of motivation for Palace, who are determined to rewrite their history and etch their name into the annals of English football. Their path to the final has been characterized by a series of commanding performances, with victories over Stockport County, Doncaster Rovers, Millwall, Fulham, and Aston Villa showcasing their ability to dispatch opponents with efficiency and flair. Remarkably, Palace have conceded just one goal across their five FA Cup matches this season, a testament to their defensive solidity, while their attacking output has been equally impressive, with exactly three goals scored in each of their last three rounds. Their 3-0 semi-final triumph over Aston Villa three weeks ago was a statement of intent, with goals from Ismaila Sarr (who netted a brace) and Eberechi Eze underscoring the team’s attacking potency. Since that semi-final, Palace have maintained their momentum, extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches, including a 1-1 Premier League draw against top-five hopefuls Nottingham Forest and a commanding 2-0 victory at struggling Tottenham Hotspur, where Eze’s superb brace stole the show. Now sitting 12th in the Premier League with 49 points—matching their tally from the previous season with two games to spare—Palace are within touching distance of a top-10 finish, but their focus has shifted to this historic opportunity. A victory on Saturday would not only deliver their first major trophy but also secure qualification for next season’s Europa League, a competition they last entered in 1998 via the UEFA Intertoto Cup. Glasner, however, has downplayed the magnitude of the occasion, insisting on a “business as usual” approach in training to keep his players grounded, arguing that altering their routine would only “make them dizzy.” Yet, the challenge is daunting: Palace face a seven-game winless streak against Manchester City (three draws, four losses), a run that includes a 5-2 Premier League defeat at the Etihad Stadium just five weeks ago, despite Palace taking a two-goal lead early in the match. Historically, their FA Cup record against City is equally discouraging, with three losses in four encounters, their sole victory coming in their first meeting in January 1921 (2-0). Nevertheless, Palace’s recent success in high-stakes matches, including three wins in their last five finals across all competitions—such as Championship playoff triumphs in 1997 and 2013 and the 1991 Full Members’ Cup—offers hope that they can rise to the occasion.
Manchester City, by contrast, approach the final as seasoned veterans of Wembley’s hallowed turf, having made the stadium their second home over the past decade and a half. The Citizens have played under the famous arch an astonishing 30 times since 2011, at least seven more than any other club, and their familiarity with the venue gives them a psychological edge. Under Pep Guardiola’s meticulous guidance, City have become the first team in English football history to reach the final of both major domestic cup competitions (FA Cup and EFL Cup) for three consecutive seasons, a feat that builds on their earlier run of four straight EFL Cup finals between 2017-18 and 2020-21. This season marks their third consecutive FA Cup final appearance, following a record seventh straight semi-final, where they dispatched Nottingham Forest 2-0 last month. Their route to the final included comfortable victories over Salford City, Plymouth Argyle, Leyton Orient, and Bournemouth, showcasing their depth and quality even in a season marked by uncharacteristic inconsistency. Indeed, the 2024-25 campaign has been a turbulent one for City, as their unprecedented four-year reign atop the Premier League came to an end, and their Champions League qualification remains uncertain. A frustrating goalless draw against already-relegated Southampton last weekend left them vulnerable to slipping to sixth in the league standings, with Chelsea and Aston Villa—both two points behind—poised to capitalize if they win their upcoming matches. For City, the FA Cup represents their sole remaining chance to claim major domestic silverware this season, and a victory would not only salvage their campaign but also see them lift their eighth FA Cup, further solidifying their status among England’s elite clubs. Currently on a 10-game unbeaten run across all competitions (seven wins, three draws), City are in formidable form, and their dominance over Palace in recent FA Cup meetings—winning the last three by an aggregate score of 18-4, including an extraordinary 11-4 thrashing in February 1926—makes them the clear favorites. However, the memory of last season’s FA Cup final loss to rivals Manchester United lingers, and City are keen to avoid losing consecutive major domestic finals, a fate they last suffered in 1926 and 1933. Guardiola’s tactical acumen will be crucial, though his focus may be tested by an impending Premier League clash against Bournemouth next Tuesday, which could influence their top-five aspirations.
In terms of team news, Crystal Palace are grappling with injury concerns, particularly over midfielder Adam Wharton, who is doubtful after twisting his ankle in the win over Tottenham. Long-term absentees Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure remain sidelined with knee injuries, leaving Glasner to rely on Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma, who filled in admirably in Wharton’s absence last weekend, with Daichi Kamada as another midfield option. Up front, Eberechi Eze is in scintillating form, having scored five goals in his last four games and contributed four goal involvements (three goals, one assist) in the FA Cup this season. He is expected to play in an advanced role alongside Ismaila Sarr, whose semi-final brace against Villa highlighted his growing influence. Jean-Philippe Mateta, with 17 goals this season, is set to lead the line, though Eddie Nketiah, a 2020 FA Cup winner with Arsenal, is pushing for a start after scoring in each of his last three FA Cup appearances. Palace’s back five, anchored by goalkeeper Dean Henderson, is likely to remain unchanged, providing a sturdy foundation. For Manchester City, injuries to Rodri (ACL), Nathan Ake (foot), Oscar Bobb (hamstring), and John Stones (thigh) pose challenges, though the former three are progressing in recovery. Guardiola may turn to Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes as makeshift full-backs, with O’Reilly emerging as a breakout star in the FA Cup with three goals and two assists. Kevin De Bruyne, with four goal involvements in his previous three FA Cup finals, is a certain starter in what could be his final FA Cup final with City, while Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, and Nico Gonzalez vie for midfield spots. Up top, Erling Haaland, with 30 goals this season and six against Palace in four games, is a guaranteed starter, though his barren record at Wembley (no goals in five appearances) is a curious anomaly. Phil Foden and James McAtee face competition from Jeremy Doku and Omar Marmoush after City’s lackluster wide play against Southampton.
As the two sides prepare to lock horns, the contrast in their histories, form, and ambitions makes this final a tantalizing prospect. For Palace, it’s a chance to end decades of near-misses and claim immortality; for City, it’s an opportunity to restore their aura of invincibility. Under Wembley’s arch, where dreams are made and heartbreak lingers, the 144th FA Cup final promises to be a spectacle for the ages.
