Preview: Chelsea vs Manchester City prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FA Cup 2025-26 final

The Cityzens dominated the proceedings when these sides last met.
Chelsea FC are all set to battle it out against Manchester City for the 2025-26 FA Cup final. Wembley Stadium is going to witness this high-stakes fixture. These sides are going to put up an intense show here.
The Blues are on an underwhelming run of form at the moment. They are coming in after being held to a draw by Liverpool in their English top division fixture. It was a decent performance by them away from home, but they were only able to secure one point.
Led by interim manager Calum McFarlane, Chelsea have a chance to secure a major trophy this season. They need a change in their strategy as it is going to be a pressurising fixture for them. The Blues surely have capable players in their squad, but as per their current form, it will not be easy for them to take down Man City.
Pep Guardiola’s men have already secured the Carabao Cup title. They are still in contention to win the Premier League and FA Cup silverware. The Cityzens are coming in after securing an easy 3-0 win against Crystal Palace in their last league game.
It was a sensational effort by them despite being away from home. They will now shift their focus to outplay Chelsea in the FA Cup final. Manchester City have performed well in recent times against the Blues.
They will be keen to deliver another top effort. Although they are in top form, it is not going to be the easiest of fixtures for them.
Kick-off:
- Location: London, England
- Stadium: Wembley Stadium
- Date: Saturday, May 16
- Kick-off Time: 07:30 PM IST/ 02:00 PM GMT/ 09:00 AM ET/ 06:00 AM PT
- Referee: Darren England
- VAR: In use
Form:
Chelsea: L-L-W-L-D
Man City: W-W-D-W-W
Players to Watch
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)

The Argentine midfielder will be looking to step up his game so that he can deliver a top performance and help his side stand a chance against an in-form Man City. He was the sole goal scorer for Chelsea in their previous contest against Liverpool. Enzo Ferandez can control the midfield well.
He has been active in the final third for the Blues, making him a crucial asset in the squad.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

He was rested in the previous contest for Manchester City; he is fully fit and all set to play an important role in the attacking front for his side.
Erling Haaland has been one of the most consistent players for Man City this season. The Norwegian will be eager to come up with another top performance. Haaland is going to be a constant threat to the opponent’s defence as he is in good touch at the moment.
Match Facts
- Chelsea have only secured one win in their last five attempts.
- Manchester City are on a nine-match unbeaten run.
- The Cityzens haven’t lost to the Blues in their last 14 meetings.
Chelsea vs Man City: Betting Tips and Odds
- Manchester City to win @8/11 AK Bets
- Erling Haaland to score @10/11 BetMGM
- Goals over 3.5 @37/20 BetMGM
Injury and Team News
Chelsea might miss out on the services of Estevao and Jamie Gittens due to a lack of fitness. Pedro Neto, Robert Sanchez and Alejandro Garnacho have shown some improvements. They might feature in the big game, but it is still not confirmed.
Rodri might miss out on action for Manchester City due to his fitness issues.
Head-to-Head
Total matches: 182
Man City won: 69
Chelsea won: 71
Draws: 42
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)
Jørgensen (GK); Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Hato; James, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernández, Cucurella; Pedro
Man City predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)
Donnarumma (GK); Nunes, Guehi, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Reijnders, Silva; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland
Match Prediction
Chelsea will be eager to control the game early. But with their current form, it is not going to be an easy task. Manchester City will be a tough challenge for the Blues at Wembley Stadium.
The Cityzens are likely to come out on top to secure the FA Cup title.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-3 Man City
Telecast Details
India: Sony LIV, Sony Sports Network
UK: TNT Sports, BBC
USA: ESPN+
Nigeria: StarTimes
How many times have Chelsea won the FA Cup?
The Blues have won the competition a total of eight times (19701997, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2018).
How many times have Man City won the FA Cup?
The Cityzens have lifted the prestigious title seven times (1904, 1934, 1956, 1969, 2011, 2019 and 2023).
When and where is the Chelsea vs Man City FA Cup final?
Saturday, May 16, at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. GMT.
Where and how to watch FA Cup final in India?
Fans can tune into Sony LIV and Sony Sports Network to watch the competition live.
Where and how to watch FA Cup final in UK?
TNT Sports and BBC can be used to watch the game live.
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Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion. With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.