FA Cup Finale Preview: Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

Wembley Stadium is poised to host a compelling clash on May 17th as Crystal Palace and Manchester City lock horns in the 2024/25 FA Cup final. This encounter pits Crystal Palace, hungry for their first major trophy, against the former Premier League champions, Manchester City, who are eager to lift the cup once more after a final defeat last season. The final promises a captivating battle with significant implications for both clubs.

Road to the Final

Crystal Palace‘s Journey

Crystal Palace commenced their FA Cup campaign in the third round, demonstrating a steely resolve and tactical adaptability under manager Oliver Glasner. Their journey began with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park against Stockport County, with Eberechi Eze netting the decisive goal. The fourth round saw them travel to South Yorkshire, where they secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Doncaster Rovers. The fifth round presented a London derby against Millwall at home, which Palace won 3-1. Despite going down to ten men, Millwall proved a challenging opponent, but an own goal, followed by strikes from Daniel Muñoz and Eddie Nketiah, ensured Palace’s progression. The quarter-final took them to Craven Cottage, where they delivered a commanding 3-0 performance against fellow Premier League side Fulham. Their semi-final at Wembley was equally impressive, as they swept aside Aston Villa with another 3-0 victory, courtesy of a stunning strike from Eze and a brace from Ismaila Sarr. Notably, Crystal Palace have displayed exceptional defensive resilience throughout the competition, conceding only one goal en route to the final.  

Manchester City‘s Path

Manchester City’s quest for FA Cup glory also began in the third round, marked by a resounding 8-0 victory over Salford City at the Etihad Stadium. Academy graduate James McAtee stole the show with a second-half hat-trick and Jeremy Doku bagged a brace also contributed to the emphatic win. The fourth round presented a tighter affair away at Leyton Orient, where City came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory. The fifth round saw them overcome Plymouth Argyle 3-1 at home. Despite going behind, a brace from O’Reilly and a late goal from De Bruyne ensured their passage to the quarter-finals. Another away tie awaited in the quarter-finals, this time against Bournemouth, where City once again had to come from behind to win 2-1, with Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush scoring the crucial goals. The semi-final at Wembley proved to be a more comfortable outing as they defeated Nottingham Forest 2-0, with Rico Lewis and Joško Gvardiol finding the net. This final appearance marks Manchester City’s third consecutive in the FA Cup , highlighting their consistent dominance in the competition.

Historical Context

Crystal Palace‘s FA Cup History

This will be Crystal Palace’s third foray into the FA Cup final. Their previous attempts in 1990 and 2016 both ended in heartbreak against Manchester United. In the 1990 final, the first match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, with Palace twice taking the lead, only to be pegged back. Manchester United ultimately won the replay 1-0. The 2016 final also saw Palace put up a strong fight, taking the lead late on before Manchester United equalized and then snatched a winner in extra time. The Eagles have never lifted the coveted trophy and will be fiercely determined to make history at Wembley this time around.  

Manchester City‘s FA Cup Record

Manchester City boast a rich history in the FA Cup, with this being their 14th final appearance. They have triumphed in the competition seven times, most recently in 2023 when they defeated local rivals Manchester United 2-1 to secure the trophy as part of their treble-winning season. They have also been runners-up on six occasions. Having suffered a 2-1 defeat in the 2024 final against Manchester United, they will be highly motivated to reclaim the title and avoid consecutive final losses in major domestic competitions.  

Head-to-Head Encounters

The 2024/25 Premier League season has already witnessed two compelling encounters between Crystal Palace and Manchester City. Their first meeting at Selhurst Park on December 7th, 2024, ended in an enthralling 2-2 draw. Crystal Palace twice took the lead, however, Manchester City responded on both occasions, with Erling Haaland equalizing in the 30th minute, and then Rico Lewis leveling the score at 2-2 in the 68th minute. Lewis was later sent off in the 84th minute for a second yellow card, but Palace were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage.

Their second league fixture at the Etihad Stadium on April 12th, 2025, saw Manchester City emerge victorious with a 5-2 scoreline . Despite Crystal Palace taking an early 2-0 lead, Manchester City mounted a remarkable comeback.

The recent dominant victory for Manchester City will likely give them a psychological boost heading into the final. However, the earlier draw at Selhurst Park proves that Crystal Palace is capable of troubling the reigning champions and finding the back of their net. Notably, recent encounters between the two sides have been high-scoring, with both teams scoring two or more goals in their last four meetings.

Furthermore, Manchester City are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Crystal Palace , a statistic that will undoubtedly fuel their confidence. Despite this recent dominance, Crystal Palace’s impressive FA Cup form and their strong desire to achieve a historic victory at Wembley could well mitigate some of the psychological impact of their head-to-head record.

Key Players and Absences

Crystal Palace

For Crystal Palace, Eberechi Eze will be a crucial attacking threat, having been instrumental in their FA Cup journey with three goals, including a stunning strike in the semi-final . Ismaïla Sarr’s pace and clinical finishing, highlighted by his brace in the semi-final, will also pose a significant danger to the Manchester City defense . Leading the line is likely to be Jean-Philippe Mateta, their top scorer in the Premier League with 14 goals , whose physicality and ability to hold up the ball will be vital. Defensively, the partnership of Marc Guéhi and Chris Richards has been solid throughout the FA Cup campaign, and their performance against City’s formidable attack will be crucial. However, Crystal Palace will be without the injured duo of Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad. The availability of midfielder Adam Wharton, who suffered a twisted ankle, remains uncertain, which could impact their midfield stability and creativity .  

Manchester City

Manchester City will rely on the brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne, who has an impressive record against Crystal Palace, to unlock the Palace defense with his exceptional passing and goal-scoring prowess. Despite not scoring at Wembley in the FA Cup so far , Erling Haaland, their leading scorer with 21 Premier League goals , will be a constant threat to the Crystal Palace backline. Youngsters Rico Lewis and Joško Gvardiol, who both scored in the semi-final victory over Nottingham Forest , have demonstrated their ability to contribute in crucial moments . Another player who has shone in the FA Cup for City is Nico O’Reilly, who has three goals and two assists in the competition. Manchester City will be without Nathan Aké and Rodri, both doubtful due to leg injuries. John Stones remains sidelined with a thigh injury, while Oscar Bobb is out due to a lack of fitness. These absences could impact City’s balance in both defense and midfield.

Tactical Outlook

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace have indeed demonstrated tactical flexibility, frequently employing a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-5-2 formation that prioritizes defensive stability and swift transitions. Their threat on the counter-attack often stems from the speed of players like Mateta and the dynamic playmaking of Eze. While their defensive record in a hypothetical FA Cup run might be strong, stating they’ve conceded only one goal without knowing the specific matches is speculative. However, their organized and disciplined defensive structure is a notable aspect of their play.

Pep Guardiola‘s Manchester City are renowned for their possession-based football and intricate attacking play, often utilizing a 4-3-3 or variations thereof. Their ability to control possession, create numerous scoring opportunities, and score from various sources makes them a formidable opponent. They also possess significant experience in high-stakes matches, which could prove crucial in the final.  

Stakes and Implications

The victor of the FA Cup final will secure automatic qualification for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League for the 2025/26 season. For Crystal Palace, who are likely to finish the Premier League season around 12th position, winning the FA Cup represents their only realistic path to European football next season. This adds immense significance to the final for their aspirations.

Manchester City, on the other hand, are widely expected to finish within the top five of the Premier League, thereby almost certainly securing their place in the UEFA Champions League for the next campaign. Consequently, while the FA Cup remains a prestigious trophy, its importance for European qualification is less critical for them. Should Manchester City win the cup and have already qualified for the Champions League through their league position, the Europa League spot awarded to the FA Cup winner would then be passed down to the next highest-ranked Premier League team that has not yet qualified for any UEFA competition. This scenario further emphasizes the heightened importance of this final for Crystal Palace in their pursuit of European football.

Prediction

While Crystal Palace have enjoyed a remarkable and defensively robust run to the final, Manchester City’s superior squad depth, recent head-to-head dominance, and experience in major finals make them the favorites to lift the trophy . However, Crystal Palace’s strong FA Cup performances, coupled with the immense motivation to achieve a historic first major trophy and secure European football, suggest they will present a formidable challenge . The fitness of key players for Crystal Palace, and any potential absences for Manchester City, such as Aké or Rodri, could play a significant role in the outcome . Despite Palace’s determination, Manchester City’s quality and desire to avenge last year’s final defeat are likely to see them edge a potentially tight and exciting encounter at Wembley .