Crystal Palace vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 English FA Cup | Final
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Crystal Palace can win their first ever piece of silverware this weekend as the Eagles take on Manchester City, still salvaging their season, at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup final.
Kick-off date/time:
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How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & ITVX / US – ESPN+
Crystal Palace preview: Soaring Eagles
Crystal Palace played in the 2016 FA Cup final and took the lead against Manchester United before losing to the Red Devils. They remain in the conversation for being the biggest club in England yet to win a major honour but that could finally be changed this weekend.
The Eagles come into this one on the back of a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London last weekend thanks to a brace of goals from England international Eberechi Eze.
Man City preview: Salvaging the season
Manchester City have underwhelmed throughout this campaign in terms of their relative expectation but the Cityzens still have a chance to finish in the top five and qualify for the UEFA Champions League as well as adding a piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet.
Those hopes of finishing in the top five, though, were dealt a blow with a shock goalless draw against relegated Southampton at St Mary’s. Pep Guardiola’s side had appeared to, perhaps for about the fifth time this year, turned the corner but that may not be the case.
Crystal Palace team news: Wharton a doubt
Adam Wharton missed out last weekend due to injury but the England international was expected to return to training this midweek and it would be likely that, if at all possible, Glasner rushed the former Blackburn Rovers man back for the final. Their long-term injury absentees consist of Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta
Unavailable: Doucoure (Injured), Riad (Injured)
Questionable: Wharton (Fitness)
Man City team news: Rodri still unavailable
Erling Haaland returned to the starting eleven last weekend and, whilst City have looked better without the Norway international striker, he is expected to lead the line at Wembley Stadium. Rodri has been back in training for a while but remains way short of match fitness ahead of the final.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Kovacic, Gundogan; Silva, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland
Unavailable: Ake (Injured), Stones (Injured), Rodri (Fitness), Bobb (Fitness)
Questionable:
Crystal Palace vs Man City prediction
About a month ago, Crystal Palace took a 2-0 lead at the Etihad Stadium and then had a goal disallowed before City came from behind to win by five goals to two. Oliver Glasner said his side would work out what went wrong and, whatever system and style Guardiola goes for, his Palace side work be able to beat it. Palace have been one of the better sides in the Premier League since the end of October and genuinely look more cohesive and aware of what they want to do of the two teams. The idea is that City will seek to dominate the ball again and that may well suit Palace’s slick, counter-attacking style and a shock cup final victory may well be on the cards in north London this season.
Crystal Palace vs Man City tip: Double chance – Crystal Palace to win or draw
