Crystal Palace vs Man City tips and predictions: Glasner and Guardiola locks horns in FA Cup final at Wembley

Crystal Palace state of play

The 2025 showdown will be Crystal Palace's third FA Cup final in their history. However, Palace fans will be desperately hoping this time round is more successful than on previous occasions.

The south Londoners are just one of four clubs to have reached two FA Cup finals (1990 and 2016) and never secured glory. 

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But whatever happens at Wembley, Palace fans can be optimistic about the future. Oliver Glasner has defied the doubters after a sluggish start and Palace are safely midtable in the Premier League. 

Palace cruised past Tottenham in the league on Sunday with a 2-0 win and Eberechi Eze dazzled throughout. 

It was the first time the England international had scored for three Premier League games in a row. 

Manchester City state of play 

It's been a challenging season by Manchester City's standards. Nevertheless, a top-four finish and an FA Cup triumph could be viewed as a positive end to the campaign.  

City's place in next season's Champions League does not look entirely secure though. 

Read: FA Cup final top prop bets - help you find value in the markets

After unexpectedly dropping two points at Southampton last weekend in a 0-0 draw, Pep Guardiola's men are still looking over their shoulder.

Goals remain an issue, which will give Palace hope. City have failed to score in four of their last 11 Premier League games, as many blanks as in their previous 55 in the top flight. 

They have failed to score in six Premier League games in total this season – their most in a single term since 2015-16 (eight).

Key talking point: Will we see the underdogs prevail? 

Palace have performed solidly in the Premier League this term and their days as a yo-yo club are long gone. 

But make no mistake, City are the firm favourites for this clash. Despite misfiring recently, they remain managed by one of the all-time greats and have an expensively assembled squad which is littered with world-class talent. The Citizens certainly have the weight of expectation. 

For Palace, however, there is a different type of pressure. Glasner can write his name into Palace’s history books if he bags an unprecedented major trophy.

FIRST’s top tip for Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

Erling Haaland first goal scorer at 17/5 (BetMGM)

The big Norwegian is back - and he looks rusty. Haaland had just a single shot in Saturday's goalless draw against Southampton, a header from a corner in the 92nd minute, as City slipped up against the league's bottom side.

That said, write off the City talisman at your peril. He has still managed 21 Premier League goals this season.

Only Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak have outscored the 24-year-old and last weekend was just the second time since January that he has played for City and not been involved in a goal.

Extra tips

Jean-Philippe Mateta anytime goalscorer at 2/1 (Bet442)

The Frenchman looks set to be a man in demand this summer and it’s not hard to see why. He’s a serious handful and has already bagged 14 goals this season. City could struggle to contain him - particularly on set pieces. 

Daniel Munoz yellow card at at 23/10 (BetMGM)

Understanding how to get the most out of the card markets and booking points could be key in this match with so much at stake for the winner. 

We back Munoz to get stuck into the challenge, quite literally. The 29-year-old has missed only one of Palace's last 52 Premier League fixtures. 

However, he also loves a booking and has racked up 10 yellow cards this term. The Colombian international could easily pick up another caution against City’s free flowing forward line. 

Team news

Palace have nearly a fully fit squad. Cheick Doucoure, ruled out for the rest of the season back in January, is their only major injury headache.

Ex-Blackburn ace Adam Wharton was not included in the squad for last Sunday’s Premier League fixture with Tottenham, but he's widely expected to be fit to face City. 

For City, Rodri is edging closer to full fitness having been out since September. The Ballon d’Or winner is unlikely to feature at Wembley, though. 

John Stones has been sidelined since City's Champions League exit in February. Nathan Ake, meanwhile, has been crocked since the start of March. 

Versatile attacker Oscar Bobb is still nursing a hamstring issue. 

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City predicted line-ups

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

Manchester City: Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Bernardo, Kovacic; Foden, De Bruyne, Marmoush; Haaland (4-2-3-1)

Form guide (all competitions)

Crystal Palace: WDWLLDDWDW

Manchester City: DWWDWWWWWD

Fancy some more FA Cup final action? Check out our Manchester United vs Chelsea women's betting tips and predictions too. 

Odds correct at the time of writing.