Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
With this season’s FA Cup crown up for grabs on Saturday afternoon, all eyes will fall on Wembley when Crystal Palace and Manchester City meet in the capital.
Crystal Palace
Starting with Crystal Palace, while the Eagles might have opened up the 2024/25 campaign in the midst of a real struggle, Oliver Glasner’s men have come roaring back in a remarkable fashion. Picking up some perfect momentum in north London last weekend as they clinched a deserved 2-0 victory away at Tottenham, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits. Skyrocketing their way up the Premier League table, Palace find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Booking their return to Wembley thanks to a stunning 3-0 romp against Aston Villa on April 26th, Glasner’s camp should not be overlooked by any measure. Despite failing to collect consecutive Premier League victories since returning from March’s international break, the Eagles will certainly ask some real questions in north London.
Crystal Palace Team News
Missing out away at Tottenham last weekend with a reported ankle issue, Crystal Palace are sweating over the fitness of England international Adam Wharton. Not featuring since the middle of January, Cheick Doucoure will miss the remainder of the season due to a long-term knee injury.
Bagging a brace against Spurs last week and now finding the net in all of his previous four consecutive appearances across all competitions, the red-hot Eberechi Eze will play a leading role. Putting pen to paper on a new deal last month, Will Hughes could partner Jefferson Lerma in the middle of the park.
Manchester City
As for Manchester City, with FA Cup success now their only chance to claim a piece of silverware this year, Pep Guardiola’s men face what is a season-defining showdown at Wembley. However, although the Sky Blues might have turned a real corner since returning from March’s international break, they did miss out on a golden opportunity last weekend. Eventually forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at an already-relegated Southampton, the former Barcelona boss is demanding an immediate response here. Nevertheless, unbeaten in all of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions, Man City will be excited by a dominant record against Saturday’s opponents. Including a 5-2 victory when they welcomed Crystal Palace to the Etihad on April 12th, they are also unbeaten in all of their last seven meetings.
Manchester City Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Manchester City will once again be without the quartet of Oscar Bobb, Nathan Ake, John Stones and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. However, making a first appearance since the end of March away at Southampton last weekend, Erling Haaland will keep his spot leading the line.
In what looks set to be his final appearance at Wembley, Kevin De Bruyne will lead out Guardiola’s side on Saturday afternoon. Settling for a spot on the bench at St. Mary’s last week, January recruit Omar Marmoush could be handed a full recall and partner Haaland in the final third.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Key Factors to Consider
- When Crystal Palace and Manchester City last met on April 12th, the Sky Blues collected an action-packed 5-2 victory on home soil.
- Man City are unbeaten in their previous seven meetings against the Eagles (four wins, three draws).
- England international Eberechi Eze has recorded five goals in just his previous four appearances across all competitions.
- The Sky Blues are unbeaten in all of their previous 10 appearances across all fronts.
- Crystal Palace have recorded at least a pair of goals in three of their previous four outings.
Conclusion
Knowing that FA Cup success is their only chance to claim a piece of silverware this year, Manchester City face what is a season-defining trip to Wembley this weekend. Despite failing to pick up any kind of momentum last week as they had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Southampton, Guardiola’s side will be excited by their recent success against Saturday’s opponents. Landing a frantic 5-2 victory when they welcomed Crystal Palace to the Etihad on April 12th, we are backing the Sky Blues to get their hands on seventh FA Cup crown in north London.
Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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