Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 17 May 2025 - bettingexpert
Football fans are in for a treat as Crystal Palace takes on Manchester City in the FA Cup Final at Wembley on 17 May 2025. This highly anticipated clash sees the Eagles aiming to upset a City side eager to salvage their season with a trophy.
Crystal Palace, led by top scorer Eberechi Eze, have been solid defensively with three clean sheets in their last five games. Despite a mixed bag of results recently, including a notable 3-0 win over Aston Villa, they’ll need to bring their A-game against the favourites.
For Manchester City and their star striker Erling Haaland, it hasn’t been the smoothest of seasons. However, they’re gunning for their third consecutive FA Cup final win. Despite Liverpool ending their Premier League dominance, City has the experience and firepower, boasting players like Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden.
With referee Stuart Attwell overseeing the game and conditions expected to be typical for May, City are our favourites to win, with bookmaker odds at 1.76. Given their historical edge and strong squad, expect Manchester City to lift the trophy.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Prediction & Betting Tip
| Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Manchester City to win | 1.76 |
- Historical Edge: Manchester City have displayed dominance in recent encounters, including a notable 5-2 victory.
- Defensive Resilience: Averaging only 0.4 goals conceded per match in the last five games.
- Formidable Squad: Key players like Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne offer unmatched firepower.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Odds
When it comes to betting odds for the FA Cup Final clash between Crystal Palace and Manchester City, the bookmakers are clearly favoring City. Let’s break down the numbers:
| Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Crystal Palace | 4.29 |
| Draw | 3.83 |
| Manchester City | 1.76 |
Manchester City are the favourites at 1.76, reflecting their stronger squad and recent form. Crystal Palace, though given less chance at 4.29, could still surprise. A draw stands at 3.83, for those expecting a tight contest.
City’s better odds stem from their defensive solidity and potent attack, while Palace’s odds come from their unpredictable nature in cup ties.
Crystal Palace Team Analysis
Crystal Palace Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tottenham | Crystal Palace | 2025-05-11 | Premier League | 0-2 (Win) |
| Crystal Palace | Nottingham Forest | 2025-05-05 | Premier League | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Crystal Palace | Aston Villa | 2025-04-26 | FA Cup | 3-0 (Win) |
| Arsenal | Crystal Palace | 2025-04-23 | Premier League | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Crystal Palace | Bournemouth | 2025-04-19 | Premier League | 0-0 (Draw) |
Crystal Palace’s recent form has been rather solid, notching up impressive performances. Their most recent 2-0 victory against Tottenham showcases their capability to compete against higher-ranked teams. With an average of 1.60 goals scored in their last five games and securing three clean sheets, their defense has been particularly stout.
Their recent fixtures include vital draws against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, showing resilience and the ability to fight back. Notably, they secured a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup semifinals, proving their aspiration for cup success this season.
Crystal Palace Key Players
Crystal Palace enters the FA Cup final with a squad featuring some key performers to watch. Their top scorer, Eberechi Eze, has netted three goals in the competition, showcasing his attacking prowess. He will be pivotal in Palace’s quest for an upset against Manchester City.
Other crucial players include Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes, who anchor the midfield with solid performances. Defender Marc Guehi also plays a significant role in their defense, contributing to the three clean sheets in their last five games.
Expected lineup for Crystal Palace:
- Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson
- Defenders: Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi
- Midfielders: Daniel Munoz, Will Hughes, Jefferson Lerma, Tyrick Mitchell
- Attackers: Ismaila Sarr, Eberechi Eze, Jean-Philippe Mateta
Key individual battles to watch include Eze against City’s Ruben Dias, and Mateta facing the tough challenge of Josko Gvardiol.
Crystal Palace Suspensions & Injuries
Crystal Palace heads into the FA Cup final with several notable injuries that could impact their performance.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Chadi Riad | Knee injury | Early January 2026 |
| Cheick Doucouré | Knee injury | Early August 2025 |
| Adam Wharton | Ankle injury | Late May 2025 |
These injuries leave Palace without key squad members, particularly in midfield, where Doucouré’s absence might be felt significantly. The team will need strong performances from their remaining players to compensate for these losses. The absence of Riad in defense could also challenge their depth in guarding against City’s potent attack.
Crystal Palace Tactics and Formation
Crystal Palace Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-4-2-1
- Key Forward: Jean-Philippe Mateta
- Key Midfielders: Daniel Munoz, Will Hughes, Eberechi Eze
- Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games.
Crystal Palace has shown a resilient defensive strategy recently, bolstered by their 3-4-2-1 formation. The back three of Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, and Marc Guehi will be pivotal in containing Manchester City’s potent attack.
In midfield, the duo of Daniel Munoz and Will Hughes will need to distribute the ball effectively and link up with the dynamic Eberechi Eze, who has been crucial in their offensive plays. Jean-Philippe Mateta up front will be the target man, aiming to capitalize on any scoring opportunities.
Palace will look to exploit quick transitions and ensure defensive solidity to maintain their chances against a formidable City side.
Manchester City Team Analysis
Manchester City Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | Manchester City | 2025-05-10 | Premier League | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Manchester City | Wolverhampton | 2025-05-02 | Premier League | 1-0 (Win) |
| Nottingham Forest | Manchester City | 2025-04-27 | FA Cup | 0-2 (Win) |
| Manchester City | Aston Villa | 2025-04-22 | Premier League | 2-1 (Win) |
| Everton | Manchester City | 2025-04-19 | Premier League | 0-2 (Win) |
Manchester City come into this FA Cup final in stunning form, exemplified by their DWWWW record in the last five matches. With 4 clean sheets and an average of 1.40 goals scored per game in these outings, City’s defense is looking nearly impenetrable. Their defense has proven resilient, but their attack, while slightly underwhelming by their lofty standards, continues to deliver when it matters.
In their most recent five fixtures:
- A solid 0-0 draw against Southampton.
- Tight 1-0 win over Wolverhampton.
- Clinical 2-0 victory at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
- A hard-fought 2-1 win against Aston Villa.
- Commanding 2-0 victory away at Everton.
Manchester City Expected Line-up
- Goalkeeper: Ederson Moraes
- Defenders: Rico Lewis, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol
- Midfielders: Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, James McAtee, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden
- Forward: Erling Haaland
James McAtee and Eberechi Eze will be key figures to watch; McAtee has been City’s top scorer in the competition, while Eze leads Crystal Palace. Expect crucial individual battles, such as Erling Haaland against Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi. Kevin De Bruyne’s playmaking could be pivotal in breaking down Palace’s defense. Keep an eye on Phil Foden’s dribbling and Bernardo Silva’s creativity in the midfield as well.
Manchester City Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Rodri | Cruciate ligament injury | Late May 2025 |
| John Stones | Thigh injury | Late May 2025 |
| Nathan Aké | Knee surgery | About 1-2 weeks |
| Oscar Bobb | Lack of fitness | Late May 2025 |
Manchester City will be missing some key players due to injuries in this FA Cup final. Rodri, known for his impeccable midfield presence, is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury. John Stones and Nathan Aké, both pivotal in defence, are also out, meaning the responsibility could fall heavily on Rúben Dias and Manuel Akanji.
Oscar Bobb’s lack of fitness may not be a huge blow but adds to the overall depth concerns. These absences could make Crystal Palace’s task a bit easier, even if City remains the bookmakers’ favourite.
Manchester City Tactics and Formation
Manchester City’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Erling Haaland
- Midfield Trio: Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden
- Defensive Strength: Four clean sheets in the last five games
- Notable Strategy: Tend to score most of their goals between the 46-90 minutes interval
Manchester City is expected to stick to their tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation, with Erling Haaland leading the attack. The creative force lies within their midfield, spearheaded by Kevin De Bruyne, with Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden offering additional support.
Defensively, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji will be crucial in maintaining their form, especially with Rodri, John Stones, and Nathan Aké sidelined. Watch out for their late-game goal-scoring flurry, which could be a game-changer.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | Crystal Palace | 2025-04-12 | Premier League | 5-2 (Win) |
| Crystal Palace | Manchester City | 2024-12-07 | Premier League | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Crystal Palace | Manchester City | 2024-04-06 | Premier League | 2-4 (Loss) |
| Manchester City | Crystal Palace | 2023-12-16 | Premier League | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Crystal Palace | Manchester City | 2023-03-11 | Premier League | 0-1 (Loss) |
The last five encounters between Crystal Palace and Manchester City have generally favored Manchester City. They secured convincing wins, including a 5-2 thrashing in April 2025 and a 4-2 victory in April 2024.
However, Crystal Palace managed to hold Manchester City to two draws, showcasing they can challenge the Premier League giants. Their most recent draw came in December 2024, ending 2-2.
Expect a thrilling contest based on their history, but Manchester City still seems to have the upper hand.
Odds accurate as of 15/05/2025 16:31, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
