How are fans feeling before FA Cup final?
Pep Guardiola's team selection against Crystal Palace, resting key players despite the title race still being in the balance, underlined how important this competition remains to them. The Blues have lost their past six finals at Wembley, but City have had frustrations of their own in this competition, losing their past two FA Cup finals, which will only charge them further. From a Chelsea supporter's perspective, confidence is low.
[BBC] [Getty Images] Chelsea fan Nina Hristova... The FA Cup final carries huge weight for Chelsea. After yet another dismal season, it represents a chance to secure silverware, something that would go a long way in restoring confidence within the squad, and finally end what has felt like a lingering Wembley 'curse'.
However, there is a sense that Manchester City are approaching it with just as much intent. Pep Guardiola's team selection against Crystal Palace , resting key players despite the title race still being in the balance, underlined how important this competition remains to them. Even with rotation, City were still dangerous and in control, a level of squad depth and quality that Chelsea simply do not have the luxury of.
The Blues have lost their past six finals at Wembley, but City have had frustrations of their own in this competition, losing their past two FA Cup finals, which will only charge them further. From a Chelsea supporter's perspective, confidence is low. The belief that this side can rise to the occasion in big games against elite opposition, once almost expected, has faded in recent times.
The record against City only adds to that feeling, with no victory since the 2021 Champions League final. Even at their very 'best', Chelsea have often only ever been good enough to come away with a draw. The only real hope is that it's a final, and finals have a habit of defying form and expectation - and that's the small bit of optimism supporters will hang on to on Saturday.