Man City vs Crystal Palace Picks, Predictions, Best Odds & How to Watch 2025 FA Cup Final

• Man City and Crystal Palace battle in the finale of the FA Cup 
• Over/Under odds suggest we could see a few goals more than expected.
• See the Man City vs Crystal Palance odds, predictions, and best bets for May 17th plus how to watch.

The 2025 FA Cup Final features an unexpected clash between the Manchester City and Crystal Palace on Saturday, May 17th. Kickoff is set for 11:30 am ET at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

Form from the two teams paint a rosy picture for Manchester City. Manchester City started off this year’s English Premier League well, then struggled mightily. However, recent form has City going 5-0-1 over their previous six matches. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace has had some issues scoring but has gone 2-1-3 over their last six contests. Sometimes when it comes to the FA Cup, one never quite knows the motivations for what may happen next.

By the way, the Final will be streamed on ESPN+. Here are the latest odds.

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace Odds (May 17)

Man City keeps backing up from what we have seen a few weeks ago. They were -163 favorites to win on the three-way moneyline. Now, Pep Guardiola has his charges peaking at the right time. It may not be the same as winning the UEFA Championship or EPL trophy but there is still pride on the line. Crystal Palace was getting +385 on the three-way moneyline but that has backed off to +310. Odds for a draw are at +275. Over 2.5 goals is a decent favorite at -138, while the under is at +110. Odds on “both teams to score” is now at -143, whereas a “no” for BTTS is getting only +105 now.

BET365
SPORTSBOOK

Offer

T&Cs

Bet $5 & Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose or a First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000!

Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New Customers only. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply

LOCK IN PROMO

CODE: DIME365

CODE: DIME365

SIGNUP PROMO

BET $5
GET $150

OR GET UP TO $1,000 BACK

CLAIM OFFER

Odds above as of May 16th at bet365 Sportsbook. Get the latest bet365 promo code to bet on the FA Cup Final.

Manchester City probably did not expect to be here to a point, but the once favorites of the English Premier League odds have righted themselves under Pep Guardiola once more. That alone expects to help the Cities in their quest to put something up on the mantle this season. While, there is no double talk, it is something.

Then again, Crystal Palace cannot be completely counted out. This is one scrappy team that keeps finding ways to advance in the tournament. It is amusing that their EPL record is right around .500 at 12-11-13. Now, this includes three draws in the previous five matches. Hey, this team did play Arsenal to a 2-2 draw. That may have been their finest moment in the past month or so.

Mateta’s goal was once for the ages even if the turnover that led to the marker was sloppy. However, it shows the finish and panache that Crystal Palace can show from time to time.  

The FA Cup run of Crystal Palace runs in stark contrast to their English Premier League form. Beating Fulham and then Aston Villa by identical 3-0 scores has created a little help for the underdogs in terms of the betting public. Anyway, here are the projected lineups.

Projected Man City vs Crystal Palace Lineups

Both squads will likely run with their current lineup from the semifinal. Do note that Adam Wharton’s status is still much in doubt. Also, there is some debate if Stefan Ortega will be in-between the pipes as is Man City’s custom for domestic appearances.

Rodri still remains in doubt for Man City while several depth players are out. Guardiola says “the lineup will be the same as last week.”

Crystal Palace will also be relatively healthy and their plan is to keep Matete as fresh as possible. The striker scored at home and away against Man City this season.

Again the injured as follows:

• Wharton (ankle, doubt), Riad (ACL), Doucoure (knee) – Crystal Palace
• Rodri (ACL), Stones (thigh),  Ake (foot), Bobb (hamstring)

Expect a last minute decision or two to be made but the projected lineups have not changed too much from earlier in the week or month for that matter.

Man City vs Crystal Palace Predictions & Best Bets

• Manchester City to Win (-120)
• Both Teams to Score (-143)
• Man City to lead at halftime and full-time (+187)

I’m picking Man City to win the FA Cup Final outright. First, they have been the better team throughout the second half of the EPL season and over the course of the last dozen games, they have shown an ability to be more dangerous offensively more consistently. Crystal Palace can do the same but questions of them doing it in this big of a spot remain.

Despite how bad the season has gone by Man City standards, the side wants to win this trophy badly. The Champions Shield is not a major trophy to them but the FA Cup is. Sure, it is not as prestigious as the EPL crown, etc. However, Pep Guardiola wants to send Kevin DeBruyne out a winner one time and so does Man City for that matter.

Adding some fun and spice to this is the Man City lead wire to wire at +187. Spreads are fun to keep on for the live portion. Man City can get out to a lead and then notch an extra marker or two as Crystal Palace presses in the second half. We also like both teams to score and potentially the alternate over of 3.5 goals for Saturday. If one wants to add a wager for the road, do not forget Erling Haaland. 21 goals feels like a lost season for him. Haaland to open the scoring at +310 is a small wager I like if the price stays there.