Manchester City are currently preparing to take on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
The Wembley showpiece is huge for both clubs as the Eagles have never won the competition, while City are looking to salvage what is left of an underwhelming season, as Pep Guardiola looks to win a third FA Cup.
The Manchester club arrive into their third FA Cup final in a row on an unbeaten run of 10 games, and Sam Allardyce believes Man City have an advantage over Crystal Palace due to their experience of playing in big finals.
The FA Cup final predictions of many pundits will start to emerge over the coming days in the build-up to Saturday, however, Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher has already made his public.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Jamie Carragher picks Crystal Palace to win the FA Cup
Man City are seen as the favourites to win the FA Cup final on Saturday, and Guardiola received a boost over the last week as City welcomed Erling Haaland back to full fitness after the Norwegian made it clear he would be ready to play at Wembley.
The return for the superstar has not swayed Carragher into picking Man City to win on Saturday, as the Sky Sports pundit has predicted Crystal Palace to make history.
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“Maybe my heart is ruling my head, I do want Palace to win, obviously, but I think they’re a good team, difficult to play against,” Carragher said on It’s Called Soccer. “I’m going to go with exactly what Rebecca said, 2-1 to Palace.”
For the neutral, fans will be hoping that the game plays out similarly to the 5-2 thriller that took place at the Etihad Stadium last month, although that is unlikely given the pressure that will be placed on the game.
Gary Lineker stated that Man City looked like their old selves against the Eagles last time out, and Guardiola will be confident of lifting the FA Cup on Saturday, as the legendary coach has a good record against the South London club.
Man City’s head-to-head record with Crystal Palace
Since arriving in England in 2016, Guardiola has faced Crystal Palace 19 times, with the Spanish coach walking away the victor on 12 occasions, while drawing five, and losing just two games against the Eagles.
This season, Man City drew 2-2 with Palace at Selhurst Park at the start of December, before playing out a 5-2 thriller at the Etihad the last time around, a contest that saw City fall 2-0 behind.
The Manchester club cannot afford for that to happen again in the FA Cup final, as if it does, Guardiola’s men will find it very hard to produce a comeback, as Palace will shut up shop, and the Southampton game last weekend showed how much City struggle to break down a low block.
Wembley looks set to produce an entertaining game at the weekend, and only time will tell if Carragher’s prediction proves right.