FA Cup Final Free Bets, Best Odds & Match Preview

FA Cup Final Free Bets, Best Odds & Match Preview

Wembley Wonders: Crystal Palace Dare to Dream Against Cup Kings Man City

FA Cup Final – May 17, 2025 at 4:30pm (UK time)
Wembley Stadium, London

The 144th edition of the FA Cup final will unfold beneath the towering arch of Wembley this Saturday, as Manchester City, the perennial powerhouse of English football, take on Crystal Palace, the spirited underdogs still dreaming of their first major trophy. It’s a showdown of goliaths versus dreamers, experience versus ambition – and, if we’re lucky, the perfect excuse to claim some free bet bonuses while we’re at it.

City, that relentless juggernaut of silverware collection, are eyeing their eighth FA Cup triumph. Pep Guardiola’s well-oiled machine has made this hallowed turf their own in recent years, striding into yet another showpiece finale. But standing in their way is a Crystal Palace side with little to lose and everything to gain – not least a European adventure and a place in club folklore.

Palace’s Bold Bid for a Fairytale Ending

Managed by the calm yet tactically shrewd Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace have swanned into this final with barely a defensive blemish. Their path to Wembley reads like a nostalgic trip through the tiers of English football – dispatching Stockport County, Doncaster Rovers, Millwall, Fulham, and, most notably, Aston Villa in the semi-finals. That 3-0 thrashing of Villa was as comprehensive as they come, with Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr lighting up the pitch like it was a Friday night in Las Vegas.

The Eagles are now unbeaten in five outings across all competitions, a run that includes a tidy 1-1 draw with high-flying Nottingham Forest and a slick 2-0 away win at Tottenham, where Eze once again played like a man on a mission, bagging a brace with aplomb. Sitting 12th in the Premier League and already matching last season’s tally of 49 points, Palace may flirt with a top-10 finish, but their real focus now lies squarely on making history.

Should they lift the famous trophy, it’ll be their first major honour in 120 years. No pressure, lads. Plus, there’s the little bonus of qualifying for next season’s Europa League. Not bad for a club whose last continental voyage was back in 1998 in the old Intertoto Cup – the footballing equivalent of a package holiday to Riga.

For punters looking to get involved, it’s worth noting that William Hill are offering a new customer deal of Bet £10, get £30 in free bets. That’s enough incentive to join the Crystal Palace dream – or hedge with the Cityzens, depending on your nerves.

History Doesn’t Favour the Eagles – But Hope Springs Eternal

Palace have graced the FA Cup final twice before, losing both times to Manchester United – once in 1990 and again in 2016. They now share the rather unwanted honour with Watford, Birmingham City, and Queen’s Park of reaching multiple finals without ever lifting the trophy.

Recent meetings with City haven’t offered much comfort either. It’s now seven games without a win against the Manchester outfit, a streak extended just five weeks ago when City overturned a 2-0 deficit to wallop the Eagles 5-2 at the Etihad. A cruel twist of fate or the ultimate lesson in never poking a sleeping beast?

Still, Palace do boast one victory over City in the FA Cup – a rather vintage win back in January 1921. More recently, they’ve tasted success at Wembley too, winning three of their last five finals across all competitions, including two Championship play-off triumphs and a Full Members’ Cup win in 1991. Wembley is no stranger to the Palace faithful – over 30,000 of whom will descend on the capital in full voice.

Manchester City: Searching for Silver in a Stormy Season

This season hasn’t been all smooth sailing for City. Their Premier League dominance has finally hit a wobble, and the FA Cup now stands as their only shot at domestic silverware. Champions League qualification remains uncertain following a shock goalless draw with already-relegated Southampton – a result that had more than a few accumulator slips torn to pieces.

Should Chelsea and Aston Villa win their respective weekend fixtures, City could tumble out of the top five. So, while some might suspect Guardiola of glancing nervously towards Tuesday’s league clash with Bournemouth, all eyes – and hair follicles – should be focused on finishing the job at Wembley.

City’s run to the final has been typically efficient. They’ve seen off Salford City, Plymouth Argyle, Leyton Orient, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest – the latter dispatched in a workmanlike 2-0 win in the semis. Remarkably, this marks City’s third consecutive FA Cup final and their 30th visit to Wembley since 2011. Frankly, they should have their own dressing room by now.

Who’s In, Who’s Out: Team Talk

Crystal Palace are sweating over the availability of midfielder Adam Wharton, who’s battling an ankle issue. Should he miss out, expect Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma to reprise their roles in midfield, although Daichi Kamada could stake a claim. The back five – including Richards, Lacroix, and Guehi – should remain unchanged in front of Dean Henderson, who’ll no doubt be keen to silence his old Manchester employers.

Eze, who’s been in electric form, is expected to play just behind Mateta, with Sarr operating wide. The front line will hope to find gaps in City’s occasionally lax backline – and if Eze fancies adding to his FA Cup tally, those in possession of William Hill free bets might fancy a flutter on him finding the net again.

As for City, injuries continue to trouble them. Rodri, Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb, and John Stones are all sidelined, though Guardiola has been known to pull a tactical rabbit from his designer hat. Youngster Nico O’Reilly might once again feature at full-back, and Matheus Nunes is another versatile option.

Kevin De Bruyne will pull the strings in midfield, with Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, and perhaps Ilkay Gundogan offering support. Up top, it’ll almost certainly be Erling Haaland – the Norse goal machine with 30 goals this season, yet curiously scoreless at Wembley. Stranger things have happened – like Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup, for instance.

Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester City

This one has the makings of a belter. Both sides have shown a taste for goals in recent encounters, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the net ripple a few times again. Palace will look to strike on the counter and cause problems with their pace and precision, particularly if City’s midfield doesn’t track back quickly enough.

That said, the weight of experience, not to mention the depth of Guardiola’s bench, might just give City the edge. A moment of De Bruyne brilliance or a Haaland thunderbolt could prove decisive. We’re backing City to edge it – just – with a 2-1 scoreline. Not that we’d begrudge Palace fans a night of partying if they pull off the upset.

And for those of you feeling lucky, don’t forget – William Hill’s Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets offer is live and kicking, just like this final. Whether you fancy Eze to steal the show, Haaland to finally score at Wembley, or simply want to savour a cracking cup tie with a few cheeky punts, now’s the time to get involved.

From a Betting Perspective

With Wembley braced for an enthralling clash between the mighty Manchester City and the daring dreamers of Crystal Palace, the bookmakers have been sharpening their pencils – or, more accurately, tapping away on keyboards – to price up every conceivable outcome.

Outright Winner: City the Bookies’ Darlings

In the outright winner market, Manchester City have been handed the favourites’ tag – again. At 5/6, Pep’s lot are odds-on to lift the trophy in normal time. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are out at 7/2, not quite the stuff of miracles, but certainly in underdog territory. The draw, priced at 29/10, leaves the door ajar for extra-time drama or even the dreaded penalties.

First Goalscorer: Haaland Heads the Hunt

Erling Haaland, the Norwegian powerhouse and scourge of many a Premier League defence, leads the first goalscorer betting at a trim 7/2. Following in his sizeable footsteps is West Ham prospect Divin Mubama at 11/2, while the elusive Omar Marmoush comes in at 6/1 – cheeky odds for a man who knows how to glide into scoring positions.

Jean-Philippe Mateta, likely to spearhead Palace’s line, sits nicely at 7/1, alongside Phil Foden, always good for a curler or two. James McAtee, that tricky playmaker with a flair for the unexpected, is next at 17/2.

Further down the pecking order, Eddie Nketiah can be backed at 9/1, while City’s young maestro Oscar Bobb is an interesting shout at 10/1. Claudio Echeverri, Ismaila Sarr, and Kevin De Bruyne are all priced at a tidy 11/1 – as is the brilliant if unpredictable Eberechi Eze. Jack Grealish, No Goalscorer, and de Oliveira Savio are also in that same ballpark, all at 12/1, in what looks like a wide-open market.

Anytime Goalscorer: Pick Your Punter’s Poison

If you’re less fussed about who scores first and more about whether your man hits the net at all, the anytime scorer market is full of intrigue. Haaland is once again front and centre at 5/4 – practically shortbread odds for a player of his calibre.

Mubama (5/3) and Marmoush (2/1) follow, while Mateta can be found at 23/10 – rather generous if you think Palace might rattle City’s cage. Foden and McAtee are at 5/2 and 3/1 respectively, with Eddie Nketiah trailing slightly at 17/5.

Oscar Bobb and Claudio Echeverri can be had at 7/2 and 18/5, while De Bruyne, Sarr, and Eze all share 4/1 odds – suggesting the free bets UK bookies can’t split that trio for a late surge. Franco Umeh, de Oliveira Savio, and Malcolm Ebiowei are close behind at 9/2, rounding out a market with options aplenty.

To Lift the Trophy: The Safe and the Brave

If you’re simply after a winner, regardless of how long it takes them, City are once again heavy favourites at 2/5 to lift the silverware by any means necessary. Crystal Palace, plucky as ever, are 11/5 to cause an upset and bring the trophy back to Selhurst Park. Those with William Hill free bet bonuses might fancy a flutter here – because fortune, as they say, favours the bold.

Correct Score Markets: Narrow Margins or Wild Rides

Punters who love precision can indulge in the correct score markets. A 2-1 win for City leads the pack at 15/2, with a 1-0 win priced the same. Fancy them to keep a clean sheet and double the tally? That’s 2-0 at 17/2. A 3-1 win comes in at 12/1, while 3-0 is a tempting 14/1.

Draws are always popular in finals, and a 1-1 scoreline is priced at 13/2 – the shortest in the stalemate stakes. A goalless 90 minutes will net you 13/1, while 2-2 is priced at 14/1. For those who adore chaos, 3-3 is at a whopping 60/1, and if you’re completely off your rocker, 4-4 comes in at 225/1.

Crystal Palace fans can find optimism in the 2-1 scoreline at 13/1 – poetic, if nothing else. A tight 1-0 win sits at 14/1, with 2-0 a larger 25/1. If you believe in an open, end-to-end affair, 3-2 and 3-1 wins for Palace return 35/1 and 40/1 respectively.

Goals, Goals, Goals: Totals and Overs

For those who prefer to steer clear of allegiance and simply bet on entertainment, the total goals markets are expansive. Under 7.5 goals is essentially guaranteed at 1/500 – unless it all goes a bit 1953. As we scale down, 6.5 is 1/80, and 5 is 1/20. Want to go lower? Under 2.5 goals is attractively priced at 57/50, hinting that this one might not be all-out carnage.

On the overs side, more than one goal is just 1/25, and over 2.5 sits at 3/4 – reasonable for two attacking teams. Over 3.5 stretches to 19/10, over 4.5 to 23/5, and if you’re a real adrenaline junkie, over 7.5 is a longshot at 50/1, with 8.5 a whopping 66/1.

Half-Time/Full-Time Markets: For the Timing Connoisseurs

The half-time/full-time combination market is another place to find value. City to lead at the break and full-time is a 19/10 shot, while a draw/City scenario sits at 4/1. The classic draw/draw is a symmetrical 5/1, and for those with Palace in their hearts, them to lead both halves pays a healthy 13/2.

Even more exotic are the combinations like draw/Palace at 10/1, City to lead before being pegged back to a draw at 16/1, and Palace to nick it after a level first half – also 16/1. The longest of long shots? City to lead at half-time but Palace to win it – 45/1. That’s the stuff of legends.

Corner Markets: A Niche Delight

The number of corners might not make headlines, but it’s gold dust for savvy bettors. Over 3.5 is a gimme, while 7.5 or more is priced at 1/4. Into double digits, 10 or more returns evens, and you’ll get 6/5 on 10.5. If you’re really into flag-kick bingo, 13.5 or more corners will fetch you 9/2, and 18.5 or more? Just 1/1000. So basically, it’s not happening – but it’s fun to dream.

Hat-Trick Heroes: Go Big or Go Home

And now, the unicorn of all bets – hat-trick scorers. Erling Haaland, naturally, leads the field at 28/1. Divin Mubama is a distance back at 50/1, and Omar Marmoush stretches to 80/1.

For the more daring dreamers, Foden is available at 100/1, Mateta at 125/1, and the likes of Claudio Echeverri and Franco Umeh push the boat out to 150/1 and 200/1, respectively. Further down the ranks, Jack Grealish and Oscar Bobb each fetch 400/1, while poor Nico O’Reilly, Max Alleyne and a cast of others can be found all the way up at 500/1 – bets so bold they should come with a medal.

With the stage set and the markets brimming with opportunity, there’s no shortage of ways to get involved in Saturday’s Wembley showdown. Whether you’re backing the brilliance of Haaland, the flair of Eze, or just fancy a cheeky dabble on total corners, there’s something for everyone – especially with the bookmakers throwing free bets in all directions for this eagerly awaited contest..

🏆 Outright Winner

🎯 First Goalscorer

⚽ Anytime Goalscorer

🔢 Correct Score – Manchester City Win