Palace v Man City in FA Cup final
©TM/IMAGO
When it comes to London football clubs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and more recently West Ham usually hog most of the limelight. However, south of the river, Crystal Palace could be about to write their name into the history books. Oliver Glasner’s Eagles endured a tough start to the season, but have been one of the Premier League’s in-form teams this calendar year, and this Saturday, they could win their first major trophy. They take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Palace have twice before made it to the final of football’s oldest competition – in 1990 and most recently in 2016, where they lost in extra-time to Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United.
As illustrated in the graphic above, Palace’s XI on that day in 2016 was worth just €78 million, and it was really a miracle that they made it to the final. Despite coming up against one of English football’s most successful sides in Guardiola’s City, there is genuine belief that Palace could actually win it this time around. They possess great quality across the pitch. So how did Glasner build a team to challenge for major honours? And could they really cause a huge upset in the capital this weekend?
Why Glasner’s Crystal Palace are capable of causing FA Cup upset
Man City will be huge favourites. That goes without saying. But across the board Palace are now a strong side, and are capable of causing a shock. Glasner’s side recently succumbed to a 5-2 defeat at the Etihad, having led 2-0. They even had a third goal disallowed which would have put them three in front. In the reverse Premier League fixture at Selhurst Park last year it finished 2-2. Palace have proven they can score against this City side, who have had numerous defensive issues this campaign.
Glasner almost always opts to field a back five. Captain Marc Guéhi has enjoyed another strong season, whilst summer signing Maxence Lacroix has adapted to the Premier League well in his first campaign on English soil. Joining those two in the back three of centre-halves is more often than not American international Chris Richards, who has proved to be a reliable utility man for the Eagles. At right-wing back Colombian Daniel Muñoz has been a contender for team of the season – he has 10 Premier League goal contributions and has shown admirable energy getting up and down Palace’s right-flank. On the other side, Tyrick Mitchell, whilst not enjoying his best season, is always a solid option. Behind them goalkeeper Dean Henderson has enjoyed his best career campaign to date and is now a regular in the England set up.
In midfield, Adam Wharton is a special player with a bright future. As illustrated in the graphic above, only three U21 holding midfielders in world football have a higher market value than Wharton’s €35 million. There is every chance he could be in for a further increase in the upcoming Premier League market value update at the end of May. The 21-year-old Englishmen possesses great guile and technique on the ball, and is an expert at firing delicate passes between the lines – an attribute so useful in Glasner’s tactical set-up. Ahead of him, Eberechi Eze sprinkles some stardust on this Palace side. After a mediocre first half of the campaign, the playmaker has hit top form in recent weeks, scoring five goals in his last four matches. He has also been key in the cub’s FA Cup run, with four goal contributions in four games.
Alongside Eze in the other one of Glasner’s inside forward positions is Ismaïla Sarr, who has been a top performer for the south London side this term. The Senegalese forward has provided as many as 18 goal contributions this season, including scoring a brace in the semi-final win against Aston Villa. Then up top, not many strikers can lay claim to being more potent than Frenchman Jean-Philippe Mateta. Since Glasner took charge of his first Palace match on February 24, 2024, only Alexander Isak (34), Erling Haaland (31) and Mohamed Salah (31) have scored more goals than his 27. Don’t be surprised to see the Palace striker bullying the City defence at Wembley.
Across the unit, this Palace side are strong. As highlighted in the graphic above, between match-day 19 (the half-way stage of the season) and now, Palace actually rank sixth in the entire Premier League, with the same amount of points accumulated as Arsenal. Six years ago, Man City met minnows Watford in the FA Cup final and thumped them 6-0. The Sky Blues wont have as easy a ride this time around. Glasner has built a team tactically astute and with many strengths from back to front. Winning their first ever major trophy is still a major step away for this Palace side, but it’s not an impossible task. Roll on Wembley.
