The 2024/25 FA Cup final will take place this Saturday between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
For the game, here are our preview and prediction.
Man City have endured a difficult season relative to their exceptionally high standards. Ageing players, injuries, and key players not performing have resulted in the Cityzens dropping out of the Premier League title race early on, bowing out of the UEFA Champions League before the Round of 16, and failing to impress in the EFL Cup as well. This is their sole opportunity to make something of this season.
Compared to Palace, City had an easier route to the final, with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Manchester United bowing out in the earlier rounds. Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest were arguably their toughest opponents, whom they faced in the quarters and semis, respectively.
Though the Cityzens have somewhat regained their form in recent months and look likely to qualify for the UCL next season, their defence can still be exploited. That said, they have enough firepower upfront to trouble the Eagles. With their talismanic striker Erling Haaland back from injury and the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne in decent nick, the Palace defence will be massively tested.
On the other hand, Oliver Glasner’s men didn’t start the season very well but gathered momentum after December. In the league, Palace are currently sitting 12th in the table. This will be their first appearance in a final after nine years—their last one was also an FA Cup final in 2016, which they lost to Man United.
Palace had a fairly easy run in the FA Cup up until the quarters. Misfortune struck them when lead striker Jean-Philippe Mateta suffered a serious head injury in their fifth-round tie against Millwall, which kept him out for some time. They came up against difficult opponents in Fulham and Aston Villa in the quarters and semis, respectively, but managed to come out on top.
Eberechi Eze has been Palace’s star performer, who alongside Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr in the frontline can wreak havoc on the City defence. Talented midfielder Adam Wharton will look to control proceedings in the middle of the park, while Daniel Muñoz will provide width and be menacing on the right flank.
Though Crystal Palace have the ability to hurt Manchester City, given their quality and experience of frequently playing in and winning cup finals, we back the Sky Blues to lift the FA Cup trophy on Saturday.
Result Prediction: Manchester City 3-2 Crystal Palace
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