FA Cup final preview: Team news, talking points and key stats
The 145th FA Cup final could be Pep Guardiola's last shot at silverware as Manchester City manager. A season that promised so much has turned into a nightmare for the Stamford Bridge outfit. Enzo Maresca's departure as head coach in January triggered a tumultuous spell under Liam Rosenior, marked by significant decline in performance and professionalism among several players in the squad.
[Getty Images] The 145th FA Cup final could be Pep Guardiola's last shot at silverware as Manchester City manager. Chelsea, in crisis for much of the campaign, stand between him and a 20th trophy with the club. A season that promised so much has turned into a nightmare for the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Enzo Maresca's departure as head coach in January triggered a tumultuous spell under Liam Rosenior, marked by significant decline in performance and professionalism among several players in the squad. Yet under interim head coach Calum McFarlane, Chelsea edged past Leeds in the semi-finals, and last weekend's 1-1 draw at Liverpool showed signs of rekindled spirit. McFarlane was also in charge in January – in his first interim spell after Maresca's exit - when the Blues snatched a 1-1 draw at City.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez missed the Liverpool game with concussion but could return. Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are doubts. Estevao, Jesse Derry and Jamie Gittens are all out.
As shown in the graphic below, either Chelsea or City have been involved in each of the last nine FA Cup finals. However, they have had limited success with City winning twice and Chelsea just once. [BBC] Although it would be foolish to rule out Chelsea, there is no doubt City are the big favourites.