Manchester City are unbeaten in seven meetings with Crystal Palace, with the Eagles claiming just two victories across their last 22 encounters.
The Sky Blues have won seven of the 13 FA Cup Finals in which they've featured, while Crystal Palace have never won this competition, beaten in the finals of 1990 and 2016, both times by Man United.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City preview
Can Crystal Palace capture major silverware for the very first time in their 164-year history, or will Manchester City reign supreme at Wembley once again? The Eagles have been very impressive en route to just their third FA Cup Final, overcoming Stockport County, Doncaster Rovers and fierce rivals Millwall in early rounds, before statement 3-0 victories over both Fulham and then Aston Villa, with Ismaïla Sarr the semi-final hero just three short weeks ago.
Thus, Oliver Glasner's side stand on the brink of history, delivering Palace's first-ever major trophy, as well as guiding the club into European competition for the first time ever. Last Sunday, Eberechi Eze's brace saw the Eagles beat Tottenham 2-0 in North London, ending their five-match winless Premier League streak. Nevertheless, it is all about this competition for Palace and this could be the biggest day in their entire history, so can the side from South London upset the odds at Wembley?
In complete contrast, this is Man City's third FA Cup Final in a row, facing Manchester United the last two occasions, seeking to get their hands on this trophy for the eighth time. Pep Guardiola's side has pretty comfortably reached this final, overcoming Salford, Leyton Orient, Plymouth Argyle, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest to do so, scoring 17 goals and conceding just three.
The Citizens have won 19 major honours across the last eight seasons, but this is their only hope of concluding this campaign with silverware, before jetting off for June's Club World Cup, of course. Man City were held to a goalless draw by rock-bottom Southampton last Saturday, an eyebrow-raising result, ending a streak of five successive victories. Nevertheless, having come from 2-0 down to beat Crystal Palace 5-2 just 35 days ago, most make the Sky Blues favourites to prevail at Wembley.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 73.
- Crystal Palace Wins: 17. Draws: 17. Manchester City Wins: 39.
Crystal Palace team news
Despite the fact this cup final was on the horizon, Oliver Glasner picked his strongest available team at Tottenham last Sunday, it paid off as they won 2-0, and continuity has been key to their success. The only question mark comes in midfield, where Adam Wharton did not feature at Spurs due to an ankle injury, but there is optimism that he'll be fit to return here.
In his absence, Will Hughes partnered Jefferson Lerma but, having been so impressive against Aston Villa in the semi-final, could Daichi Kamada get the nod alongside Wharton?
Lastly Joel Ward will leave Palace at the end of the season, having made 363 appearances for the club, only seven me have more, so what a way to sign off victory at Wembley would be.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Manchester City: (3-4-3): Henderson; Richards, Guéhi, Lacroix; Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze, Mateta.
Crystal Palace player to watch vs Manchester City
Jean-Philippe Mateta has 17 goals to his name this season, on target home and away against Man City last season, so could he be Palace's cup final hero on Saturday?
Manchester City team news
Pep Guardiola's team is much tougher to predict for a multitude of reasons. Erling Braut Håland returned at St Mary's last weekend, his first appearance since March's quarter-final victory over Bournemouth, but there is a school of thought that the Sky Blues actually play better without him.
Nevertheless, it would be a major surprise if Håland does not keep his place, but surely at least one of Omar Marmoush, Jérémy Doku or Savinho will return in-behind, given the toothless showing at Southampton. At left-back, Nico O'Reilly was surprisingly on the bench by the South Coast, having impressed in recent weeks, so will the youngster return? Lastly, in goal, Stefan Ortega Moreno has started the last two FA Cup Finals, so will he get the nod over Ederson at Wembley once again?
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Nunes, Rúben Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Gündoğan, Kovačić, Marmoush, De Bruyne Doku; Håland.
Manchester City player to watch vs Crystal Palace
Kevin De Bruyne, who will depart this summer, has won 16 major honours with Manchester City, scoring in the 2019 final against Watford, so will he sign off with silverware on Saturday?
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City prediction
We are backing Manchester City for victory. We believe Crystal Palace can certainly cause them problems, but that the Sky Blues will ultimately be too strong: Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City FAQs
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Manchester City on TV
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: BBC One and ITV1.
- USA: ESPN+
- Canada: Sportsnet Now Plus
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Manchester City on live stream
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City is available on the following streaming services;
- UK: BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
- USA: ESPN+
- Canada: Sportsnet Now Plus
What is the date and kick-off time for Crystal Palace vs Manchester City?
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City takes place on Saturday 17 May 2025, with kick off at 16:30 (BST), 11:30 (EDT) & 8:30 (PDT).