Manchester City is set to face Crystal Palace on Saturday in the 2024-25 FA Cup final, held at Wembley Stadium. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, City has the opportunity to clinch their first major trophy of the current season (potentially their second if the 2024 Community Shield is included). However, it hasn`t been City`s most dominant season, as they are currently vying for a spot in the next Champions League and were eliminated from this year`s edition by Real Madrid before the knockout stages. Despite this, winning the prestigious FA Cup remains a significant goal. For Crystal Palace, managed by Oliver Glasner, lifting the trophy would represent a historic achievement, as the club has never won a top-flight title. Last season, Manchester City suffered a defeat in the FA Cup final, losing 2-1 to local rivals Manchester United. This match offers Guardiola`s side an immediate chance for redemption and to claim the trophy just 12 months later.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, May 17
- Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England
- Live stream: ESPN
- Odds: Crystal Palace +340; Draw +270; Man City -135
Pre-Match Comments
Speaking ahead of the final, Pep Guardiola acknowledged the significance of the occasion, stating it`s an “honor and privilege” to be in the FA Cup final. He emphasized the need for a strong performance to win the title. Guardiola highlighted specific threats from Crystal Palace, noting Jean-Philippe Mateta`s strength on long balls, Eberechi Eze`s clear quality, Ismaila Sarr`s impact in the semifinal, and Adam Wharton as a capable holding midfielder. He stressed that regardless of the opponent, the desire to lift the trophy is paramount, especially after last year`s disappointing performance in the final, stating, “To win the trophy you have to be there and win previous games and we have done it many times in previous years.”
Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace (XI): Dean Henderson; Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi; Daniel Munoz, Daichi Kamada, Adam Wharton, Tyrick Mitchell; Eberechi Eze, Ismaila Sarr; Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Manchester City (XI): Stefan Ortega; Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O`Reilly; Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne; Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush, Savinho; Erling Haaland.
Key Player
Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City — This match is anticipated to be Kevin De Bruyne`s final appearance for Manchester City, as the Belgian star has indicated his departure at the end of the season. This makes the FA Cup a potential last chance for him to win a trophy with the club and conclude his successful tenure on a high note. If City is victorious, it would be a memorable farewell title for a vital player who has been central to their recent successes.
Major Storyline
Can a Major Trophy Redefine City`s Season? Despite experiencing a less consistent season than usual, Manchester City managed to recover their form in the Premier League, re-entering the race for a top-five finish and Champions League qualification – a prospect that seemed uncertain months prior. However, securing a major domestic trophy like the FA Cup would undoubtedly change the overall perception of their season, adding significant silverware despite setbacks in other competitions.
Prediction
While Crystal Palace is highly motivated by the prospect of winning their first ever major trophy, Manchester City possesses a squad with superior talent and significant experience in high-pressure finals. Their big-game pedigree is likely to be the decisive factor. Predicted Score: Manchester City 3, Crystal Palace 1.
Dominic Ashworth