2025 FA Cup Final Preview - Crystal Palace vs. Man City: Can the Eagles snatch their first FA Cup trophy against the Blues? May 15, 2025 by Marc Jerbs

Crystal Palace will take on Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on May 17, with kickoff set for 4:30 PM BST. The iconic venue is poised to host an electrifying clash between a spirited underdog and a proven football powerhouse. Fans can anticipate a thrilling finale packed with passion, quality, and high stakes.

Crystal Palace are appearing in their third FA Cup final, still in pursuit of their first major trophy after finishing as runners-up in 1990 and 2016. Manchester City, in contrast, enter the match with a wealth of experience - having lifted the FA Cup seven times and now reaching their third straight final.

Form Guide and Season Narrative

Palace arrive in confident form, unbeaten in their last five matches, with several clean sheets and a dynamic attacking style that saw them defeat Aston Villa 3-0 in the semi-finals. Their cup run has been characterized by disciplined tactics, strong team cohesion, and standout displays from Eberechi Eze, Ismaila Sarr, and Jean-Philippe Mateta.

City, despite an inconsistent league campaign by their lofty standards, remain formidable. They are on a 10-match unbeaten run and have delivered clinical performances throughout the cup, including a composed semi-final win over Nottingham Forest. With their depth and star talent—featuring the likes of Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Phil Foden—City enter the final as clear favorites.

Crystal Palace vs. Man City Sports Bet Odds

The Blues are the favorites to win the game. Here are our latest odds:

• Handicap Result has the Eagles at +1 with 2.0 odds, Tie (Man City -1) is at 3.75 and The Blues at -1 with 2.80 odds.
• Full Time Result odds are 4.50 for the Eagles, 3.90 for Draw and 1.75 for The Blues.
• Total Goals is set at 2.5 with both Under at 2.10 and Over at 1.72 odds.

Tactics and Team News

Crystal Palace are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, focusing on defensive solidity and rapid counterattacks. Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma will likely anchor the midfield, while Eze and Sarr provide the creative spark. Adam Wharton remains a fitness doubt, while Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad have been ruled out.

Manchester City are set to field a 4-2-3-1 setup, with a settled backline and a midfield duo of Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovačić stepping in for the injured Rodri. Haaland's return bolsters their attack, supported by De Bruyne and Foden. Injury concerns persist around defenders Nathan Aké and John Stones, who are both doubtful for the final.

Key Players to Watch

Crystal Palace: Eberechi Eze is in exceptional form, scoring five goals in his last four outings. His creativity and flair will be crucial to Palace's hopes.

Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne, who has tallied 16 goal contributions against Palace in his career, remains a central threat. Haaland, fresh from injury, also looks poised to play a key role.

Prediction and Analysis

While Manchester City are the overwhelming favorites due to their experience, squad quality, and consistency, Crystal Palace's recent performances suggest they are more than capable of pulling off an upset. Their tactical resilience and team spirit make them a genuine threat in what many expect to be a closely contested match, with goals likely at both ends.

What's at Stake

The victor will claim a place in the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League and earn the right to face Liverpool in the 2025 FA Community Shield. For Palace, a win would mark a historic first major trophy, forever altering the club's legacy. For City, it would further cement their dominance in English football and add another trophy to their growing collection.