Crystal Palace and Manchester City will contest this season’s FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles will be targeting what would be a first-ever FA Cup triumph, while Man City will be looking to lift the trophy for the eighth time in their history.
Palace produced one of their best performances of the season at the semi-final stage by brilliantly dismantling Aston Villa 3-0.
Oliver Glasner’s side will return to Wembley in high spirits after defeating Tottenham 2-0 away from home in the Premier League last weekend, in a game that brought up two of my three selections.
As for Man City, they have seen off fellow Premier League duo Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest in each of the previous two rounds to take their place in this season’s Wembley showpiece.
However, the Citizens’ preparations for this clash were far from ideal, stumbling to a shock goalless draw at already-relegated Southampton in the top flight last time out.
How the bookies view it: City set for FA Cup glory
Unsurprisingly, Manchester City have been priced up as firm 7/10 favourites on Boylesports.
Crystal Palace are as big as 16/5 on Boylesports to take top honours inside regulation time, while the 90 minute draw has been chalked up at 11/4 with the same firm.
Head to head: City seeking repeat of dress rehearsal
Man City could hold a psychological edge ahead of this cup final after coming from two goals down to claim a 5-2 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League just over one month ago.
That being said, Palace did hold City to a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park earlier this season. A repeat of both teams scoring alongside over 2.5 goals therefore looks overpriced at 23/20 on Boylesports.
Players to watch: Sarr to star again?
Ismaila Sarr was the star of the show during Crystal Palace's aforementioned 3-0 win over Aston Villa at the semi-final stage, scoring two of his side's three goals. The Eagles ace looks well worthy of support to register a shot on target on Saturday at 6/5 on Bet 365.
While Erling Haaland has not managed to hit the same heights of previous campaigns, the Man City goal machine will certainly attract some attention from punters for an anytime strike at 10/11 on Boylesports.
Predicted line-ups
Crystal Palace will be without injured duo Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure, while key midfielder Adam Wharton is facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s FA Cup final.
As for Man City, they again look set to be without John Stones, Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb and Rodri at Wembley this weekend.
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta
Man City : Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Kovacic, Silva; Foden, De Bruyne, Marmoush; Haaland
Anything else catch the eye?
Team news permitting, Man City’s Nico O’Reilly holds plenty of appeal to commit a minimum of one foul at 5/6 on Bet 365.
The young Man City left-back has committed at least one foul in five of the six Premier League games that he has started this season.
In fact, one of those starts was against Crystal Palace last month, with O’Reilly overstepping the mark twice during that contest.
GambleAware