Chelsea face Manchester City in the 2025-26 FA Cup final at Wembley this weekend, hoping for a victory to salvage their disappointing campaign.
Ayomide Oguntimehin looks ahead to the May 16 clash at the Wembley Stadium.
Chelsea vs Manchester City match preview
Chelsea head into the clash in poor form with only two wins from their last 11 matches across all competitions. However, both of those wins came in the FA Cup, where they defeated Port Vale in the quarter-finals and Leeds United in the semifinals.
The Blues will also be playing in their first FA Cup final since 2022, when they were defeated by Manchester City in that final. The West London club will also be hoping to win a first tournament since when they defeated Manchester United to lift the trophy in 2018.
Up next: The FA Cup final! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mPTkPJAsqE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 12, 2026
Manchester City, meanwhile, enter this clash in remarkable form and on the back of a 2-1 win over Southampton in the last four. The Cityzens have also eliminated the likes of Exeter, Salford, Newcastle United and Liverpool on their way to their fourth straight final.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side have only won one of those finals in recent times, losing both of their last two against Manchester United and Crystal Palace.
Best betting odds
Over 1.5 Goals – 1.21 (via 1xBet)
15 years since we won the FA Cup against Stoke 🏆
The trophy that kick-started a new City era 🙌 pic.twitter.com/CRZNCjI72y
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 14, 2026
Prediction
This fixture has a rich history of producing multiple goals and this particular clash will continue the trend especially given Manchester City’s attacking output in recent games and Chelsea’s poor defence.
Chelsea vs Manchester City Head-to-Head
(Last five meetings)
- 12.04.2026 – Chelsea 0-3 Manchester City
- 04.01.2026 – Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea
- 25.01.2025 – Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea
- 18.08.2024 – Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City
- 03.08.2024 – Manchester City 4-2 Chelsea
Manchester City have held the upper hand in recent meetings between these sides and have won four of the last five matches, including a 3-0 win when both sides met last month in the Premier League.
The Cityzens have also not lost to Chelsea since a 1-0 defeat in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final.
Recent form: Chelsea
Chelsea have endured a poor form in recent outings and they are winless in five of their last six games across all competitions, although they recorded a 1-1 draw at Liverpool in their last match.
The Blues have also failed to score in seven of their last 10 matches across all competitions and managed just two clean sheets during this run, although both came in the FA Cup.
Preparing for the FA Cup final. 💪 pic.twitter.com/AyiJzs7cV9
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 13, 2026
Recent form: Manchester City
Manchester City have been very impressive in recent outings and are unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions, recording seven wins and one draw in that run.
The Cityzens have also conceded only three goals so far in the FA Cup, while they have averaged around four goals per game.
Player to watch
Tosin Adarabioyo (Chelsea)
Five players who could make debut for Nigeria before AFCON 2027
Super Eagles target Tosin Adarabioyo was a surprise inclusion in Chelsea’s FA Cup semifinal win and he should get the nod to start once again in this clash.
The experienced defender’s aerial threat in both boxes could give his side an advantage against City and potentially help them to the title.
