Crystal Palace are gearing up for their third FA Cup final
Crystal Palace have received a boost on the eve of only the third FA Cup final in their history, with star midfielder Adam Wharton passed fit to play.
Wharton was absent from the Eagles’ 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Premier League last Sunday due to an ankle injury which had forced him off in the 1-1 draw at home to Nottingham Forest on May 5.
Manager Oliver Glasner revealed in his press conference on Friday afternoon that Wharton has trained all week and is available to play against Manchester City at Wembley.
Elsewhere, the Eagles have not suffered any other fresh injuries and so have only two players unavailable for the final: long-term absentees Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure, who are both out until the summer with serious knee injuries.
The vast majority of Glasner’s team picks itself, but he has a decision to make in terms of who partners Wharton in the midfield double pivot.
Daichi Kamada, who joined as a free agent last summer, started next to Wharton in the semi-final 3-0 win over Aston Villa and is the likeliest to partner the Englishman.
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But the experienced duo of Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes are also available, and either could come into the team in an attempt to limit what City’s own midfielders can do in the middle of the park.
Crystal Palace predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta
Injured: Doucoure, Riad
Time and date: 4:30pm, Saturday May 17, 2025
Venue: Wembley Stadium
TV Channel in UK: BBC One and BBC iPlayer & ITV1 and ITVX