Football writer Ben Bloom picks out the key talking points and players ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley.
For one side, it is an opportunity to achieve something that has never been done in the club’s 120-year existence; for the other, a chance to salvage some joy from a deeply disappointing campaign.
Saturday’s FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City promises to be a fascinating encounter in the battle for the final piece of major domestic silverware on offer this season.
There is also the offer of a UEFA Europa League spot to the winner – something City hope will be of little relevance to them, but a tantalising prospect for Palace supporters who have never tasted European football.
Here is all you need to know.
What does the FA Cup mean to both clubs?
There have been a few notable moments in Palace’s recent history: an extra-time Championship playoff final victory over Watford in 2012/13 and an FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United three years later.
This match is up there with them. Having already matched their record Premier League points haul of 49, with two games remaining, Oliver Glasner’s side are now bidding for a first piece of major silverware in the club’s history.
They have twice lost FA Cup finals to Man Utd (in 1990 and 2016), and the most prestigious trophies in their cabinet remain those for twice winning the English second tier and claiming the 1990/91 Full Members’ Cup (a short-lived invitational tournament during the European ban for English clubs).
Man City are the polar opposite. Their trophy collection over the past 15 years has been extensive, with eight Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, three FA Cups and six EFL Cups won during that period.
Indeed, City have only gone without major silverware in three of the past 14 seasons and this is their third successive FA Cup final. Last year’s defeat also came at the hands of Man Utd.
What about Europe?
The winners of the FA Cup receive a place in the Europa League, something of great interest to Palace who have never played in a major European competition.
By the start of April, a strong set of results meant Palace supporters were beginning to develop slim hopes of qualifying for Europe by virtue of their Premier League place.
However, a run of five matches without a win – sparked by a 5-2 defeat at Man City’s hands – ended those aspirations, so Glasner’s team are all-in on this match.
Currently in fourth place, City have their sights firmly set on qualifying for the Champions League again.
Should Pep Guardiola’s side triumph at Wembley and finish in the top five, their Europa League place for winning the FA Cup would be transferred to the highest-placed Premier League team who have not already qualified for Europe.
Path to the final
Crystal Palace
Third round: Palace 1-0 Stockport County
Fourth round: Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Palace
Fifth round: Palace 3-1 Millwall
Quarter-final: Fulham 0-3 Palace
Semi-final: Palace 3-0 Aston Villa
Man City
Third round: Man City 8-0 Salford City
Fourth round: Leyton Orient 1-2 Man City
Fifth round: Man City 3-1 Plymouth Argyle
Quarter-final: AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Man City
Semi-final: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man City
Recent form
Past meetings
Unsurprisingly, given City had won six of the previous seven Premier League titles prior to this season, Guardiola’s side have dominated recent history between these teams.
Palace have won only three of the 26 meetings since their return to the top division in 2013. Their most recent victory over City was in October 2021, when they triumphed 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
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The teams' first encounter this season, at Selhurst Park in December, came with Palace hovering just above the relegation zone, while City were in the middle of a horror run that comprised only one win in nine Premier League matches. In a largely even game, City twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw.
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City also fell behind in the reverse fixture last month, this time trailing 2-0 before a Kevin De Bruyne masterclass inspired them to a comprehensive 5-2 victory.
Glasner remained bullish after that match, warning his opposite number: "I said to Pep afterwards, 'If we meet again [in the FA Cup final], you can’t play in this system, because we will solve it.'"
Key players
Crystal Palace
Eberechi Eze: After something of a slow start to his campaign, Eze has just scored in three consecutive appearances for the first time in his career, taking him to 15+ Premier League goal involvements (seven goals, eight assists) for the second successive season.
Jean-Philippe Mateta: After scoring 19 goals in all competitions last season, the Frenchman has continued to lead the line with aplomb this campaign, netting 17 times, and forming a potent attacking trio with Eze and Ismaila Sarr.
Marc Guehi: Wanted by other clubs prior to this season, the England centre-back showed all his best attributes in last Sunday’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur, snuffing out any Spurs attack and regularly displaying his ball-playing prowess.
Man City
Erling Haaland: Although he is almost certain to relinquish his Premier League Golden Boot after drawing a blank at Southampton last time out, Haaland remains the most feared marksman in English football if he is deemed fully fit.
Kevin De Bruyne: After taking a decision on Haaland, Guardiola must then consider whether to play De Bruyne, who has shown glimmers of his best form across his last five successive league starts and will want to end his City career on a high.
Ruben Dias: Injuries have meant a stop-start season for the centre-back, who is an inspirational leader at the heart of a City defence that has chopped and changed at various points throughout the season.
