FA Cup Final Crystal Palace vs Man City, 10:30 p.m. May 17: When ambition challenges courage

Pre-match review

The legendary Wembley will be the focus of English football this weekend, as Crystal Palace and Man City enter the 2025 FA Cup final. This is a clash between the desire to touch glory for the first time and the mettle of those who have reached the top many times.

In their 120-year history, Crystal Palace have yet to lift a major trophy. They have twice reached the FA Cup, but were defeated by Manchester United in 1990 and 2016. And now they return to Wembley for the third time, with a strong belief that they can change their fortunes.

Coach Oliver Glasner's team has shown impressive form in the FA Cup this season, defeating Stockport County, Doncaster Rovers, Millwall, Fulham and especially a convincing 3-0 victory over Aston Villa in the semi-finals.

The attack exploded with 9 goals in the last 3 rounds, while the defense only conceded 1 goal since the beginning of the tournament, that is the number that speaks to the true strength of the south London team.

Crystal Palace's form is also on the rise as they are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 win away at Tottenham, where Eberechi Eze shone with a classy double.

Currently ranked 12th in the Premier League and having reached 49 points, equal to last season's achievement, Palace temporarily put aside the top 10 goal to aim for the historic milestone of winning the FA Cup for the first time, and along with that, a ticket to the Europa League next season to participate in the continental playground for the first time in 27 years.

“Everything is the same as usual," said coach Glasner. "If we change our approach just because it's the final, the players will be confused. For us, this is a big match, but the preparation must be the same as usual."

Meanwhile, Man City have become the first team in English football history to reach the final of both domestic cups in three consecutive seasons. They reached the League Cup final four times in a row from 2017/18 to 2020/21, and are now preparing for their third consecutive FA Cup final.

Wembley has become almost a “second home” for Man City as they have played there 30 times since 2011, at least seven more than any other team.

Pep Guardiola's side are in their seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final - a record - after a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the end of April. In the previous rounds, they overcame Salford City, Plymouth Argyle, Leyton Orient and Bournemouth.

The FA Cup is now Man City's only chance of winning domestic silverware this season, after their four-year Premier League dominance came to an end in a turbulent 2024/25 campaign. They will still hope to end the season on a positive note with the FA Cup and a place in the Premier League's top five.

The Champions League qualification is still up in the air after Man City were held to a goalless draw by relegated Southampton in their last match. With no next round to play due to the FA Cup final, Man City could drop to sixth if Chelsea and Aston Villa – the two teams behind them with two points less – beat rivals MU and Tottenham.

Although Guardiola may have to consider his squad for the Premier League clash with Bournemouth early next week, City's main focus will undoubtedly be on their 14th FA Cup final. A win tomorrow morning would see them lift their eighth FA Cup, level with Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham, and only behind Arsenal (14) and Manchester United (13).

Form, head-to-head history

In front of more than 30,000 Crystal Palace fans who will descend on Wembley, coach Glasner and his students will try to end a 7-match winless streak against Man City (3 draws, 4 losses), including a 2-5 loss at Etihad 5 weeks ago despite leading 2-0 after only 21 minutes.

In the FA Cup, history is also on Man City's side. They have won three of their four meetings with Palace, with a combined score of 18-4. They even beat Palace 11-4 in the 5th round of the FA Cup in 1926. It was the highest-scoring match in the club's history. Man City's only defeat came in the first meeting between the two teams in 1921, when they lost 0-2.

Man City have scored two or more goals in each of their last four meetings with Crystal Palace, including two 2-2 draws and 4-2, 5-2 wins.

Force information

Man City will be without Stones, Ake and Rodrigo due to injury. Crystal Palace will be without Doucoure for the same reason.

Expected lineup

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta.

Man City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic; McAtee, De Bruyne, Foden; Haaland.

Score prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Man City

Trong Dat

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