Chelsea vs Manchester City predictions and betting tips – Silverware up for grabs

The FA Cup takes centre stage on Saturday, as Chelsea and Manchester City get ready to butt heads in the final at Wembley Stadium.

Manchester City are still in the mix for a domestic treble, while Chelsea are looking to win silverware for the second season in a row. Which way will this showpiece event go?

• Manchester City to win – 7/10 with Betway
• Over 2.5 goals – 4/6 with Casimba
• Phil Foden to score or assist – 5/4 with 247Bet

Chelsea vs Manchester City head to head overview

• Date: Saturday 16th May.
• Kick-off: 3pm.
• Venue: Wembley Stadium, London, England.
• Where to watch: BBC One and BBC iPlayer, TNT Sports 1.
• Referee: Darren England.
• VAR: Yes.
• Last meeting: 12th April 2026; Chelsea 0-3 Manchester City.
• Last 10 matches: Chelsea – 0 wins; Manchester City – 7 wins; Draws – 3.
• Favourite to win: Manchester City.

Chelsea vs Manchester City predicted lineups

• Chelsea expected lineup: Jorgensen; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, James; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro.
• Manchester City expected lineup: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Kovacic, Silva; Foden, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.

Chelsea vs Manchester City predictions

Manchester City’s season will be defined by events over the next week and a half.

A domestic treble is still a possibility for Pep Guardiola’s side. A 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday left them two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with two games left to play.

City are underdogs in that two-way title tussle, but their defeat of Palace has put the pressure on Arsenal once more.

With the EFL Cup already in the bag, City are poised to put their title ambitions on hold as they seek to win the FA Cup this weekend.

Guardiola’s team have grown accustomed to contesting this fixture. This is the fourth consecutive campaign in which City have reached the final.

They have lost their last two appearances, however, going down to Manchester United in 2024 and Crystal Palace in 2025. 

With a tricky trip to Bournemouth coming up on Tuesday, another FA Cup final loss has the potential to indirectly affect their title chances, just as Arsenal suffered a downturn following their defeat in the EFl Cup final.

As for Chelsea, the FA Cup is the only way for them to save what has been, for the most part, a miserable season.

The Blues will be absent from the Champions League in 2026/27, so this is the last thing they have left to play for this term.

They will be led in the dugout by interim boss Calum McFarlane, who will pit his wits against Guardiola for a third time.

City beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge last month. Will it be more of the same at Wembley?

Chelsea vs Manchester City betting tips

Will Chelsea or Manchester City get their hands on the trophy after the FA Cup final?

City right to be favourites

Manchester City may have handed the initiative to Arsenal in the title race by drawing 3-3 with Everton earlier this month, but their record over the last few months is still excellent.

City have won eight of their last nine matches in all competitions, coming on strong at the business end of the season as they so often do.

Chelsea steadied the ship by drawing 1-1 with Liverpool last time out, yet before that they lost six Premier League games on the bounce.

City are not only a superior side to Chelsea, but they are in better form too. It would be a mistake to back anything other than a City win.

Back Manchester City to win at 7/10 with Betway

How will Chelsea approach it?

It will be interesting to see what sort of game plan McFarlane comes up with.

Chelsea will have to ensure they are well organised defensively to keep Manchester City at bay, but they are unlikely to be overly passive.

For all their recent woes, Chelsea have enough quality in forward areas to hurt City, so they must ensure they give the opposition backline something to think about.

There have been over 2.5 goals in seven of City’s last eight games, and Saturday’s showdown with Chelsea will probably follow suit.

Tip over 2.5 goals at 4/6 with Casimba

Foden pushing for start

Phil Foden was Manchester City’s standout performer in the 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

It has been another frustrating season for the England international, who has found himself pushed down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.

But after such a stellar showing against Palace, Foden is pushing to start the FA Cup final, perhaps in place of Antoine Semenyo.

Foden’s ability has never been in doubt, so it is worth a punt on him having a direct hand in a City goal at Wembley.

Go for Phil Foden to score or assist at 5/4 with 247Bet

Chelsea vs Manchester City latest odds

Find the latest Chelsea vs Manchester City betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More FA Cup predictions

We have plenty more FA Cup predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about Chelsea and Manchester City for betting

Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 13 games against Chelsea. Chelsea’s last victory in this fixture was in the 2021 Champions League final.

Pep Guardiola has the chance to move level with Bill Nicholson, Charles Foweraker and James Fielding on three FA Cup triumphs, putting him joint-fifth in the all-time managerial rankings.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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