In your opinion, where will the FA Cup Final be won and lost?
The match will be won in both boxes. Both teams have a top-class striker. I really like Mateta’s work-rate – he is relentless in the way he presses – and is one of the best in the league when he is clinical.
Erling Haaland, of course, has demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the best forwards in the world. He looked off the pace on his return from injury last week against Southampton, but if he plays at his best, he is unstoppable.
What have you made of the previous Palace vs Man City encounters this season – could they tell us anything about what is to come in the final?
City beat Palace 5-2 at the Etihad this season but for the first 20 minutes, they struggled more than in any other game this season. City could not deal with the pace of Sarr, Eze and Mateta.
If Palace play as quickly and as directly on the transition, City could struggle.
Where, potentially, could Palace hurt Manchester City and vice-versa?
If City manage to get in behind Palace’s wing backs, they could cause a lot of problems. Before Haaland returned, Guardiola played a 4-2-2-2 formation in which the two forwards, Omar Marmoush and Savinho, drifted wide and played in the pockets, creating space for the two attacking midfielders in behind.
Palace’s greatest threat is on the counter – I’ve been impressed by both Muñoz and Mitchell this year. They played so well at Old Trafford in February.
If they can get forward and help the likes of Eze, Sarr and Mateta, then City will be at risk of conceding. Palace were so dangerous on the counter at the Etihad that they could have gone at least three or four goals up.