As Europe anticipates another action-packed weekend, the focus is firmly on potential silverware. The FA Cup final is set to take place, while the Serie A title race heads into its crucial penultimate round with everything still to play for. Here`s a look at what`s coming up.
๐บ Weekend Matches (U.S./Eastern)
- Friday, May 16
- ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Chelsea vs. Manchester United, 3:15 p.m. (ESPN)
- Saturday, May 17
- ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City, 10:30 a.m. (ESPN)
- Sunday, May 18
- ๐ฎ๐น Cagliari vs. Venezia, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- ๐ฎ๐น Fiorentina vs. Bologna, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- ๐ฎ๐น Hellas Verona vs. Como, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- ๐ฎ๐น Inter vs. Lazio, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- ๐ฎ๐น Juventus vs. Udinese, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- ๐ฎ๐น Lecce vs. Torino, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- ๐ฎ๐น Monza vs. Empoli, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- ๐ฎ๐น Parma vs. Napoli, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- ๐ฎ๐น AS Roma vs. AC Milan, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
โฝ On the Pitch
๐ FA Cup Final: Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
London`s Wembley Stadium hosts the FA Cup final on Saturday, presenting a classic encounter between heavy favorites and an underdog. Manchester City arrive at their third consecutive FA Cup final as the clear frontrunners, highly motivated to secure a trophy.
After a difficult period last autumn, Pep Guardiola`s squad has significantly improved in the latter half of the season. While they remain mathematically close to second place in the Premier League with two games left, winning the FA Cup offers the best opportunity to salvage their campaign. City hasn`t finished a season without silverware since Guardiola`s inaugural season in charge, 2016-17.
City receives a boost from the return of star striker Erling Haaland, who played the full 90 minutes in their recent match after recovering from an ankle injury. He is expected to be a key player, potentially drawing inspiration from City`s dominant 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace in April, where five different players scored, including Kevin De Bruyne. This final could mark one of De Bruyne`s last appearances for City as he approaches the end of a remarkable 10-year spell, aiming to add another title to his collection. His formidable partnership with Haaland, which has yielded 25 goals in 92 games, may also conclude. Tributes for De Bruyne are already emerging, with Haaland among those acknowledging his impact.
Haaland: “It`s been a pleasure to play with him. Hopefully, in the last couple of games, we`re going to have a really good time. We clicked straight away from the first second, and it`s going to be emotional when a good friend leaves. Maybe the best player ever to play for City โ one of the best to play in the Premier League as well. Hopefully, we can make it a good one in the last few weeks. You really can`t replace a player like him because he`s got something so special with the way he puts the ball into the box. You can see many of my goals are assisted by him, and some of them have been ridiculous. We have to make the best out of it and give him a good farewell.”
Crystal Palace stands in City`s way at Wembley, appearing in their third-ever FA Cup final and seeking their first major trophy as a top-flight club. Led by forwards Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze, who have combined for 29 goals this season, Palace hopes to achieve a significant milestone. Since Wigan Athletic`s win in 2013, Leicester City (in 2021) is the only team outside the traditional “big six” to have won the FA Cup. Could Saturday bring another upset if things align for Palace?
๐ฎ๐น Serie A: A Tense Penultimate Weekend
Serie A resumes on Sunday for a dramatic day as Europe`s most exciting title race reaches its penultimate stage. Nine out of ten matches will kick off simultaneously, with particular attention on games involving title contenders Inter and Napoli.
Napoli enters the weekend with a one-point advantage over Inter and faces a seemingly favorable match against 16th-placed Parma. However, last week`s surprising 2-2 draw against Genoa raised questions about whether Antonio Conte`s side can maintain their lead. Despite outshooting Genoa 22 to eight, an own goal hampered their efforts, and their expected goals tally of 1.7 suggested they weren`t as clinical as their attacking volume implied. Sunday provides an opportunity to regain control and pressure Inter to perform.
Inter faces a tougher challenge against fifth-placed Lazio, who are level on points with fourth-placed Juventus and pushing hard for a Champions League spot next season. Inter benefited from Napoli`s slip-up last week and held up their end by securing a 2-0 win against Torino. This result, combined with their place in the Champions League final, suggests momentum might be shifting in Inter`s favor. Nevertheless, the match against Lazio will be a true test of their championship credentials, even if they are considered favorites.
๐ต Weekend Betting Tip
- FA Cup final — Eberechi Eze to have 1+ shot on target (-135): Final matches can often be cautious, but Eze has consistently shown up in big games. Even with City`s improved defense, he is likely to find space to test the goalkeeper from outside the box, as he is difficult to contain. For Palace to have a chance at winning the FA Cup, a significant performance from the English playmaker is essential, and he appears ready for the pressure.
Dominic Ashworth