Match preview for Chelsea’s showdown against Manchester City in the 2025-26 FA Cup Final.
Victory would see Chelsea claim a ninth FA Cup title and first since 2018, whilst Man City seek to move onto eight FA Cup honours with a win – having last won this competition in 2023.
Team News
Robert Sanchez could return for Chelsea after he missed their 1-1 Premier League draw at Liverpool due to concussion.
Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto could both return after knocks kept the pair out of last weekend’s trip to Anfield.
Jesse Derry (concussion), Estevao, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (both hamstring) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
Man City have no fresh injury concerns after their midweek 3-0 league win over Crystal Palace.
Rodri is a doubt as he continues to recover from a groin injury.
Route to Final
Chelsea
Chelsea opened their campaign with a ruthless 5-1 win at London rivals, Charlton, through goals from Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.
Neto’s hat-trick and Estevao’s finish saw Liam Rosenior’s Blues sweep aside his former team, Hull in a 4-0 fourth-round victory.
Arthur Okonkwo’s own-goal and Joshua Acheampong’s effort cancelled out goals from Sam Smith and Callum Doyle at Wrexham, before Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro sealed a 4-2 win after extra time in the fifth round.
Hato, Pedro, Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Estevao and Garnacho found the net alongside Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel’s own-goal as the Blues thrashed Port Vale 7-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Quarter-Finals.
Fernandez’s 23rd-minute header saw Chelsea edge past Leeds in their semi-final tie, just days after Rosenior was sacked following a slump in league form.
| Round | Opposition | Venue | Result |
| 3 | Charlton | Away | 1-5 |
| 4 | Hull | Away | 0-4 |
| 5 | Wrexham | Away | 2-4 (AET) |
| QF | Port Vale | Home | 7-0 |
| SF | Leeds | Neutral | 1-0 |
Manchester City
Rico Lewis scored twice amongst seven different goalscorers and two own-goals as City thrashed Exeter 10-1 in the third round, before Alfie Dorrington’s own-goal and Marc Guehi’s finish saw the Cityzens cruise past Salford with a 2-0 fourth-round win.
Omar Marmoush’s second-half brace saw Man City seal a 3-1 comeback fifth-round win at Newcastle, after Savinho cancelled out Harvey Barnes’ opener.
Erling Haaland’s hat-trick and Antoine Semenyo’s strike resulted in a 4-0 Quarter-Final win at home against Liverpool.
Comeback goals from Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez spared City’s blushes in a 2-1 semi-final victory against Southampton, after Finn Azaz fired the Saints ahead in the 79th minute.
| Round | Opposition | Venue | Result |
| 3 | Exeter City | Home | 10-1 |
| 4 | Salford | Home | 2-0 |
| 5 | Newcastle | Away | 1-3 |
| QF | Liverpool | Home | 4-0 |
| SF | Leeds | Neutral | 2-1 |
When is Kick-Off?
Chelsea meet Man City at Wembley Stadium, London, on Saturday 16 May at 3pm BST, live on BBC One, TNT Sports 1, BBC iPlayer and HBO Max in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea have won three of nine previous FA Cup meetings against Man City (W3, L6).
- Man City have won two of four previous FA Cup ties against Chelsea when played as the away team (W2, L2).
- This is the first FA Cup final to be played between Chelsea and Man City.
- Chelsea have won six of their 11 FA Cup Finals this century (W6, L5).
- Excluding replays, Man City are yet to beat a London-based club in the FA Cup Final after two previous attempts (L2), having lost 3-2 to Tottenham in a replay after 1-1 draw then 1-0 to Crystal Palace last season.
Prediction
Having produced a solid display to draw at Liverpool after a slow start in which they fell behind, Chelsea now need to step up their performance because this is a much tougher test which requires defensive patience and a clinical end product.
I however just can’t see Man City losing this if they turn up with the right attitude after their clinical win over Palace, yet they can’t afford to underestimate Chelsea as the Blues have little to lose as underdogs and this is their best hope of European qualification unlike City.
City though showed resilience in their league meeting against Chelsea last month before a ruthless second-half display and know that the pressure is on their rivals here, so I expect more of the same as this feels like City’s to lose.
Prediction: Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City
Result: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City
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