Manchester City are set to take on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final this weekend.
The contest is huge for the Manchester club’s season as the 2024/25 campaign has been very underwhelming for Pep Guardiola’s men, however, it can be salvaged by winning the cup and the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
Man City are currently on a run of 10 games unbeaten and are currently preparing for their trip to Wembley, with the noise around Florian Wirtz’s signing unlikely to distract Guardiola, despite the Spanish coach being hands-on in the deal.
This weekend is Man City’s third FA Cup final in three years, and Guardiola’s men are well aware of the pressure that comes with playing in the Wembley showpiece.
Sam Allardyce never coached in an FA Cup final throughout his career, however, the former English manager believes Man City have one big advantage over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
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Man City’s experience could be key to FA Cup success
Crystal Palace are the underdogs heading into Saturday’s FA Cup final as the Eagles have never won the competition before, while Man City are seeking their eighth, the third under Guardiola.
Speaking ahead of the contest, Allardyce believes the experience of being in the FA Cup final over the last three seasons will be a big advantage for the Manchester club, as it remains unclear how Palace will handle the pressure.
“There is only one thing City, well, there is more than one thing (in Man City’s favour), most of City’s players have been there before. Palace players haven’t,” Allardyce said on No Tippy Tappy Football.
“The pressure they’ve experienced it before, they’ve handled before, they know what’s coming, whereas most of the Crystal Palace players will not have experienced the nerves and the hype around the FA Cup. It is very special. And of course, it is do or die.”
Man City have also been boosted by the return of Erling Haaland last weekend, who made it clear he would be ready for the FA Cup final.
Mateo Kovacic starred in City’s FA Cup semi-final win against Nottingham Forest, with the midfielder being one of many, and having experienced defeat to Man United last season, Guardiola’s squad will look to undo that wrong.
Photo by Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Fantasista/Getty Images
Man City’s record in FA Cup finals
Man City’s record in the FA Cup final is very even as the Manchester club has won the competition seven times, while falling just short on six occasions.
City first won the trophy against Bolton in 1903, with their last coming during the 2022/23 season as Guardiola’s men defeated Man United to complete the second part of their treble
Year Result Opponent Score
1903/04 Winner Bolton 1-0
1925/26 Final Bolton 0-1
1932/33 Final Everton 0-3
1933/34 Winner Portsmouth 2-1
1954/55 Final Newcastle 1-3
1955/56 Winner Birmingham 3-1
1968/69 Winner Leicester City 1-0
1980/81 Final Tottenham 2-3
2010/11 Winner Stoke 1-0
2012/13 Final Wigan 0-1
2018/19 Winner Watford 6-0
2022/23 Winner Man United 2-1
2023/24 Final Man United 1-2
The 2024/25 final is as big as any for Man City, as if they fail to beat Crystal Palace, that could have an impact on the remainder of the season.
If that results in City missing out on Champions League football, that will affect the signings the Manchester club can make, therefore, a snowball effect could ensue.