Chelsea vs Manchester City: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction
Manchester City will briefly shift their focus from the Premier League title race as they face Chelsea in Saturday’s 145th FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, aiming to secure a second domestic cup double.
It will be the first ever FA Cup final meeting between the two clubs, while City are appearing in a record fourth consecutive final.
Match preview
Chelsea booked their place in the showpiece event after edging past Leeds United 1-0 in the semi-finals thanks to Enzo Fernández’s first-half header. The victory secured Chelsea a place in their 17th FA Cup final, with only Manchester United (22) and Arsenal (21) reaching more.
However, the Blues have found finals at Wembley difficult in recent years, drawing blanks in four consecutive appearances since Christian Pulisic netted against Arsenal in the 2020 FA Cup final defeat.
Chelsea are bidding to win the FA Cup for a ninth time, with each of their previous eight triumphs coming under different managers. Interim boss Calum McFarlane is hoping to continue that trend.
Since 2016/17, Manchester City and Chelsea have been the FA Cup’s most successful sides, with City winning 45 matches to Chelsea’s 37.
The two clubs also lead the way for goals scored (159 and 111, respectively) and clean sheets kept (28 and 26).
Chelsea currently sit ninth in the Premier League, six points behind the top six, and only managed to stop their downward spiral with a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend. Although that result ended a dreadful six-game losing streak, it also stretched their league winless run to seven matches. Securing European football through the league now appears unlikely, but FA Cup glory would seal a Europa League spot.
Chelsea’s run to the final
Third round | Charlton Athletic (A) | W 5-1
Fourth round | Hull City (A) | W 4-0
Fifth round | Wrexham (A) | W 4-2 (aet)
Quarter-finals | Port Vale (H) | W 7-0
Semi-final | Leeds (Wembley) | W 1-0.
earlier this season, Manchester City now have the chance to complete a domestic cup double for the second time in their history, becoming only the sixth side to achieve the feat in English football.
Pep Guardiola’s side will become the first side to feature in four consecutive FA Cup finals, although they head into this year’s showpiece having lost the previous two against Manchester United and Crystal Palace after their 2023 triumph over the Red Devils.
Manchester City remain on course for a domestic treble as they continue to pile pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race. Consecutive 3-0 victories over and Crystal Palace have moved Guardiola’s side within two points of the league leaders with just two games remaining.
Since losing the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League final to Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, City have not lost any of their last 13 games against the Blues in all competitions (W10 D3).
Man City’s run to the final
Third round | Exeter City (H) | W 10-1
Fourth round | Salford City (H) | W 2-0
Fifth round | Newcastle United (A) | W 3-1
Quarter-finals | Liverpool (H) | W 4-0
Semi-finals | Southampton (Wembley) | W 2-1
Team news
Chelsea will be without Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens and Jesse Derry due to injuries.
McFarlane has confirmed that Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Robert Sánchez have all trained this week and could be involved on Saturday.
The Citizens’ only injury concern is Rodri, who has missed the last five games with a groin issue and remains a doubt.
Predicted line-ups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, James, Caicedo, Palmer, Fernandez, Neto, Joao Pedro.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly, Gonzalez, Bernardo, Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester City.
