Crystal Palace vs Man City FA Cup Final prediction, odds, tips & team news | OneFootball

The 2025 FA Cup Final takes place this weekend with Crystal Palace and Manchester City facing off at Wembley on Saturday 17th May at 4:30pm. Crystal Palace are in the final for the third time in their history, while Man City are in the final for the third consecutive season. This game will be broadcast live on BBC One and ITV 1. Find our match preview and best bets from expert tipster Anthony Eadson below.

Both Teams to Score (3/4 with Betfred)

Only four FA Cup finals since 1995 have featured four or more goals. However, Crystal Palace have scored two goals in each of their past four games against Man City, and have pulled off some big results against Pep Guardiola’s side over the last few years. Both teams have serious firepower in the final third, and with Ismaila Sarr, Eberechi Eze and Jean Philippe Mateta in attack, they will look to hurt City on the counter attack. Nottingham Forest hit the woodwork three times against City in the semi-final, in a game where they created 1.8xG. With an excellent coach in Oliver Glasner who has experience in upsetting big teams, Palace can get on the scoresheet.

Chris Richards Anytime Goalscorer (20/1 with Sky Bet)

Chris Richards poses a serious threat from set-pieces for Crystal Palace and he has recorded at least one shot in 11 of his last 14 starts. The central defender may only have one goal to his name this season, but in recent weeks, he has looked a threat in the opposition. box. Richards scored against Manchester City in the 5-2 defeat at the Etihad a couple of months ago and at a best price of 20/1 to score on Saturday, I think he’s worth a small longshot punt.

How both teams go into Crystal Palace vs Man City

Crystal Palace haven’t won a major trophy in their 164-year history. But they’ll have an opportunity to finally get one in the cabinet at Wembley. The Eagles have been beaten finalists in the FA Cup twice before, losing in 1989-90 and 2015-16. Last time out they lost to Manchester United, so they’ll be hoping to avoid more heartbreak to a Manchester club. Palace have been excellent in the FA Cup this season, keeping clean sheets in four of their five games so far this season. They’ve knocked out Stockport County, Doncaster Rovers, Millwall, Fulham and Aston Villa to reach the final.

Man City are no strangers to the FA Cup final, having been there in each of the past two seasons. Both finals came against Man Utd, and Man City had mixed results, winning one and losing the other. Overall, they’ve won seven FA Cups, with only five clubs lifting the trophy more. So far this season, Man City have knocked out Salford City, Leyton Orient, Plymouth Argyle, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. It was a 2-1 victory over the latter that sealed a return to the final.

Crystal Palace team news

Crystal Palace face an anxious wait on the availability of Adam Wharton, who is battling to recover from a twisted ankle sustained prior to last weekend’s victory over Tottenham. The midfielder will undergo a late fitness test before kickoff. Meanwhile, Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucouré continue their extended spells on the sidelines as they recover from knee injuries. In Wharton’s absence, Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma formed the central midfield pairing in the win at Spurs and could keep their spots in the starting XI. Manager Oliver Glasner also has Daichi Kamada at his disposal should he opt to make a change in the middle of the park.

Man City team news

Manchester City are still expected to be without several key players, with Rodri (ACL/fitness), Nathan Ake (foot), Oscar Bobb (hamstring), and John Stones (thigh) all likely to miss out. Encouragingly, Rodri, Ake, and Bobb are making steady progress as they work through their individual recovery plans.

Following a lack of creativity on the flanks in their recent outing against Southampton, Phil Foden and James McAtee could find their starting spots under threat. Jeremy Doku and Omar Marmoush are both pushing for inclusion out wide. Up front, Erling Haaland remains the clear favourite to spearhead the attack.

Crystal Palace vs Man City head-to-head

Man City are unbeaten in their past seven games against Crystal Palace, winning four.

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