Wembley is set for a captivating showdown as Crystal Palace take on Manchester City in this season’s FA Cup final, a matchup few would have predicted at the start of the campaign, but one that promises plenty of drama.
Oliver Glasner has breathed new life into Palace since his arrival, guiding the Eagles to a respectable mid-table position in the Premier League. With 49 points from 36 games, they’ve quietly pieced together a solid campaign.
But it’s in the FA Cup where they’ve really impressed, dispatching a mix of lower-league sides and top-flight opposition en route to their third-ever FA Cup final. Wins over Stockport, Doncaster, Millwall, Fulham, and an emphatic 3-0 demolition of Aston Villa in the semis have set the stage for a potential historic FA Cup upset.
On the other hand, Manchester City come into this final whilst juggling high stakes on multiple fronts. Pep Guardiola’s men are still battling to secure Champions League football next season and sit fourth in the table with 65 points, just narrowly ahead of the chasing pack.
Their FA Cup journey hasn’t always been smooth, but they’ve flexed their muscle with convincing victories over Salford (8-0), Leyton Orient, Plymouth, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Crystal Palace vs. Man City live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this FA Cup final in the U.S.:
TV channel: —
Live stream: ESPN+, ESPN App
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the United States. Streaming options are available on ESPN App and ESPN+.
You can get an ESPN+ subscription for $11.99 per month or purchase an annual plan for $119.99 per year, a $24 savings. Stream your favorite teams live and enjoy more sports anywhere with an ESPN+ subscription.
What time does Crystal Palace vs. Man City kick off?
This FA Cup final takes place at the Wembley Stadium in London, England and kicks off on Saturday, May 17 at 4:30 p.m. local time (BST).
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sat, May 17 | 11:30 a.m. |
| Central Time | Sat, May 17 | 10:30 a.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sat, May 17 | 9:30 a.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sat, May 17 | 8:30 a.m. |
Crystal Palace vs. Man City predicted lineups, team news
Adam Wharton — sporadically a reported target for City — is Palace’s main injury doubt heading into the weekend as he battles to return from minor ankle ligament damage.
Elsewhere, Palace are close to full strength. Eberechi Eze and wing-backs Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell all caused City problems before the Eagles were brutally grounded at the Etihad Stadium last month.
Glasner confessed he made a mistake by substituting Jean-Phillipe Mateta and not replacing him with a specialist centre-forward at halftime in Manchester. Mateta scored home and away against City last season.
Crystal Palace predicted XI (3-4-3, right to left): Henderson (GK) — Richards, Lacroix, Guehi — Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell — Sarr, Mateta, Eze.
Injured: Wharton (ankle, doubt), Riad (ACL), Doucoure (knee).
Suspended: None.
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After City beat Palace 5-2 at the Etihad Stadium last month, Glasner boldly told Guardiola that he would have to change his tactics should they meet in the cup final, as he would have better solutions next time.
Given that victory — along with the vast majority of City’s encouraging form after the March international break — came without Erling Haaland, the Eagles boss can be more-or-less guaranteed the opposition will look quite different.
Despite his misfiring return at Southampton, the superstar forward is almost certain to start, with Kevin De Bruyne likely to enjoy a Wembley swansong in support.
Omar Marmoush rested up against the Saints and should return, while the final place in the front four is the one most up for grabs. Phil Foden and James McAtee did not do too much to advance their respective cases at St Mary’s, while Savinho and Jeremy Doku have predominantly featured as impact subs of late.
Jack Grealish has played a solid role in City’s run to the final but, given he has been seldom seen in Premier Leage action, a start for the England winger feels unlikely.
Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly could return to provide attacking thrust from full-back, while Stefan Ortega will probably come in for Ederson between the posts, as is standard for City’s domestic cup engagements.
Man City predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Ortega (GK) — Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly — Kovacic, Silva — Foden, De Bruyne, Marmoush — Haaland.
Injured: Rodri (ACL), Stones (thigh), Ake (foot), Bobb (hamstring).
Suspended: None.
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