Our Bet Builder tips for the Wembley showpiece include a win for Pep Guardiola's side and a Palace full-back to trouble the goalkeeper.
Having been defeated in last season’s FA Cup final by bitter rivals Manchester United, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have a chance to go one better when they take on Crystal Palace in this year’s Wembley showpiece on Saturday (KO 4:30pm).
Success has become habitual for City but it has been a rare below-par season for them, with the FA Cup providing their final opportunity to claim some silverware.
For only the third time in club history, the Eagles have reached the FA Cup final and victory over the Citizens would be considered a major upset.
Best bets
Manchester City to win /
Daniel Munoz to have 1+ shot on target /
Daichi Kamada to be shown a card /
Motivated Citizens should prove too strong
City’s dramatic drop-off was extremely difficult to predict but the FA Cup represents an opportunity to salvage their season and they have upped their level in recent months.
Injuries to key players at crucial times hasn’t helped the Citizens’ cause but they head to Wembley unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions, having also forced themselves back into Champions League qualification reckoning.
Guardiola’s side have won nine of their last 13 games and that includes a 5-2 rout of Palace at the Etihad in the middle of April, in a contest in which they had fallen two goals behind.
City had the firepower to address that situation, while one of the advantages they have over the Eagles is that they are very much used to being involved in crunch clashes where silverware is up for grabs.
The Citizens edged past Nottingham Forest 2-0 in their semi-final at the national stadium and they are virtually the same price to overcome Palace, who find themselves 12th in the top-flight standings.
Munoz could showcase his attacking qualities
Right-sided full-back Daniel Munoz has proved a real asset in attacking areas this season, having scored six goals and grabbed seven assists in 43 matches in all competitions, and he could be vital for Palace on the counter-attack.
Two of those goals have come in this season’s FA Cup and the Colombian looks a nice price to register a shot on target.
Munoz has racked up 18 shots across his last 17 appearances for the Eagles, which includes three efforts against Tottenham last Sunday, one of which hit the target.
Kamada unlikely to escape the referee’s attention
Palace are sweating on the fitness of Adam Wharton, but fellow midfielder Daichi Kamada looks a certain starter regardless and he could be a value card candidate.
The Japanese international has been booked three times in his last seven appearances, which includes in that defeat to City at the Etihad as well as in the semi-final victory over Aston Villa when he committed four fouls.
With City likely to dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the game, Kamada could be crucial in attempting to retrieve the ball and stop them playing.
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