FA Cup final prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for Man City vs. Crystal Palace in 2025

Two Premier League clubs on opposite ends of the spectrum are 90 minutes away from a historic opportunity as Manchester City meet Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

For the Eagles, the potential reward for victory at Wembley this weekend is obvious, as the club seeks its first-ever major trophy. They have reached this stage twice before, falling just short in both 1990 and 2016.

On the other side, Pep Guardiola's task is a bit more meta. City have endured a brutally disappointing season, falling hard from their throne of four straight Premier League titles and forced to battle just to retain their Champions League status.

A potential third FA Cup victory for Guardiola would be a significant statement that City have not ceded their position as one of the top clubs, not just in England, but the world. While a trophy-less season leaves a gaping hole in the resume, this FA Cup would mean that they move to eight straight seasons with a major trophy, and 12 of the past 15 with a title.

MORE: Latest team news and injury updates ahead of 2025 FA Cup final

Man City vs. Crystal Palace prediction, odds

• Moneyline lean: Man City (-125 on DraftKings)
• Score prediction: Man City 2-1 Crystal Palace

As much as seeing Crystal Palace win their first-ever FA Cup would be fun for neutral fans, the Eagles have a poor track record against Man City in general, even of late, while there have been just two first-time FA Cup winners since Wimbledon stunned Liverpool in 1988 — Wigan won their first in 2013, while Leicester City lifted a debut title in 2021. City were the victims of Ben Watson's last-gasp winner for Latics.

As much as Man City have been shells of their former selves this season, they have also stabilised a bit since the shaky winter.

Palace, meanwhile, have been incredibly difficult to predict of late, with wins over Aston Villa and Tottenham sprinkled around the recent results alongside defeats of 5-0 and 5-2, the latter coming to this very opponent.

Man City vs. Crystal Palace match facts

• Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
• Kickoff Time: 4:30 p.m. local (11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT)
• Location: Wembley Stadium (London, England)
• Referee: Stuart Attwell
• Last meeting: Man City 5-2 Crystal Palace (Apr. 12, 2025 | Premier League)

MORE: A complete guide to betting on soccer in the United States

Man City vs. Crystal Palace best bet

• Pick: Over 3.0 total goals
• Odds: +120 (DraftKings)

While the FA Cup final doesn't traditionally tend to be a high-scoring affair, even in modern times where the game has trended towards more goals in general, these two teams seem to have chaos potential whenever they meet up.

Across their past four meetings, all in the Premier League, there has been a combined 21 goals scored between them, averaging over five per contest.

Additionally, while only one of the last nine FA Cup finals have gone over this total, the one involved City's walloping of Watford 6-0, and four of those equalled three goals, including two involving Guardiola's men

With both sides having reason to get desperate in this match, there is the potential for an entertaining affair.

Man City vs. Crystal Palace prop bet

• Pick: Kevin de Bruyne to score or assist a goal
• Odds: +105 on FanDuel

Quietly, Kevin de Bruyne is having a fantastic finish to his Man City career. Since returning to the starting lineup against Manchester United in early April, De Bruyne has two goals and an assist, with two of those three contributions coming against Palace the last time they met.

Even in the games where he did not log a goal contribution, the Belgian star has been excellent. For example, he had five shots and created four chances against Southampton last time out in a 0-0 draw, following a massive six chances created against Aston Villa in the 2-1 late April victory.

He should get the start in his last chance to win a trophy with the club, and the team will largely be playing to give De Bruyne a bright send-off. It would be storybook to see him play a key role in a trophy lift one more time.