Chelsea face off against Manchester City in a FA Cup final match that could salvage their season.
Chelsea have been on a slippery slope and a season that you could’ve once seen them as Premier League title contenders could end with them not even in an European spot.
Chelsea lost six Premier League games in a row, avoiding defeat in the 1-1 draw vs Liverpool. Their 1-0 win over Leeds in the FA Cup semifinal is their only win in eight games across all competitions.
A point at Anfield. #CFC | #LIVCHE pic.twitter.com/0Xyfrdn1Ii
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 9, 2026
By beating Leeds, eight-time FA Cup winners Chelsea have now reached their 17th FA Cup final. Chelsea come into this game as underdogs which doesn’t help their record in recent FA Cup finals as they have lost three consecutive finals between 2020 and 2022.
Manchester City on the other hand are in a formidable run of form. The Cityzens are unbeaten in their last six games, boasting five wins and a draw vs Everton which put saw them drop to second in the Premier League table.
Their latest win against Crystal Palace sees them retain pressure on league leaders Arsenal. They are also surpassing the Gunners on goal difference, a key statistic that could shift the Premier League title in their favor should Arsenal drop points.
Three points secured! 🙌
🩵 3-0 🦅 @okx pic.twitter.com/KGYiZoeajY
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 13, 2026
Manchester City also have poor record in recent FA Cup finals as they have lost back-to-back finals vs Manchester United and Crystal Palace. However, they can take confidence in the fact that they haven’t lost to Chelsea since the 2021 UCL final.
Team News
Chelsea will still be without Derry, Gittens and Estevao.
Reece James is expected to play in the final having trained with the team for the past couple of weeks while Colwill could retain his place in the starting XI after his impressive performance back from injury against Liverpool.
Sanchez could return after his nasty clash with Gibbs-White in the 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest while Garnacho and Neto are available for selection.
Doku, Haaland, Cherki and O’Reilly didn’t start in the 3-0 win vs Crystal Palace but they are expected to be in the starting eleven vs Chelsea. Foden who was the star vs Crystal Palace could be set for a start.
Up next: The FA Cup final! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mPTkPJAsqE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 12, 2026
Chelsea vs Manchester City Predicted XI
Chelsea Predicted XI
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Hato; James, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Cucurella; Pedro
Manchester City Predicted XI
Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Bernardo; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland
