FA Cup: Crystal Palace vs Manchester City - Betting Tips, Odds & Prediction

Crystal Palace will be aiming to pull off a surprise as they take on Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final on Sunday morning at the iconic Wembley Stadium. 

The Eagles are yet to win the FA Cup in their history, even though they have played the final twice before. Their last appearance in the title decider was in 2016, when they fell to City’s neighbours Manchester United. 

Top betting websites, however, are expecting Manchester City to win the tournament for the eighth time. But Pep Guardiola’s side haven’t hit their usual heights this season, leaving the door open for Palace to steal the show. We’ve got all the best football tips ahead of kickoff, so read on for our breakdown.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have been dominant en route to the FA Cup final, beating Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage before repeating the scoreline against Aston Villa in the semi-finals. 

Oliver Glasner’s side have also impressed in the league, with last weekend’s win over Tottenham taking them to 49 points. This has equalled their best-ever Premier League tally with two games still to play.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has been the team’s best attacking threat, but Palace also have excellent quality in the wings in Ismaila Sarr and Eberechi Eze. Backing any of them to score on sports betting apps has been a lucrative endeavour this season.

Team News: Adam Wharton faces a fitness battle ahead of the final, meaning Will Hughes is likely to retain his spot in the starting lineup.

Predicted Lineup: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Kamada, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta.

Manchester City

Manchester City have the backing of football betting sites heading into this tie even though their recent performances have not been flash. 

In their latest Premier League outing, the Citizens were held to a goalless draw by an already relegated Southampton. Firing blanks against the worst defence in the league won’t do much for their confidence, but City will still have plenty of motivation heading into this final.

Manchester City have not had a trophyless season since Gurdiola’s chaotic debut season at the club nine years ago. With the FA Cup remaining the only avenue for silverware for this year, Man City players should feel the drive to step up. 

Team News: Erling Haaland was back on the bench after an injury layoff last match. The Norwegian looked good and should be fit enough to start the match.  

Predicted Lineup: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Gonzalez, Gundogan, Bernardo; Marmoush, Haaland, Doku.

• There have been four FA Cup meetings between the two sides. City won three and Palace just one.
• In four previous FA Cup clashes, Manchester City have outscored Crystal Palace 18-6.
• Manchester City are unbeaten in their last five meetings against Palace in all competitions, winning three and drawing two.
• There have been 22 goals between the two sides in their last five meetings. 

Palace can be a tricky team to play when they are on song. Tottenham learned that the hard way when they were overrun in the wide areas recently. The Londoners have the attacking quality to trouble a City defence that has been their Achilles’ heel all season.

Palace held City to a 2-2 stalemate at Selhurst Park this season before falling to a 5-2 defeat at Etihad. They raced into a two-goal lead at the Etihad until a vintage Kevin De Bruyne masterclass turned the game on its head.

This has the makings of an entertaining clash, with both sides set to test each other’s defences. City boast the experience and quality to get the job done, but Palace will relish playing with nothing to lose.

Expect the match to end in a draw after normal time and cross the over market set at 2.5 goals. 

Eberechi Eze to Score First @ 11.00 

Palace are likely to come out flying before City begin to assert control. Eberechi Eze, fresh from a brace against Spurs, could thrive in the early chaos and grab the opener. He also scored first in their 5-2 loss to City, and PlayUp are offering tasty $11 odds for a repeat of his heroics.