Crystal Palace – Manchester United. Editors’ prediction

It’s the 10th FA Cup final at the new Wembley stadium and Manchester United, who’ve won the trophy 11 times, could level with Arsenal (12) if they were to win here. Arsenal, the 14/15 Cup winners, were defeated by Watford in the Sixth Round. But it’s Crystal Palace, who’ve made it to the final match, defeating not only Watford and Reading, but also Tottenham, Stoke City and Southampton. Well deserved.

United’s passage to the final was somewhat easier: Sheffield United, Derby, Shrewsbury Town and at last West Ham and Everton. They might have had an easier run through, but on league standings United are somewhat better than today’s rivals. However, without lifting this trophy the 15/16 campaign will almost certainly be regarded as a poor one, and ultimately one that ended in failure for Van Gaal and his team.

Alan Pardew’s team is also desperate to win the FA Cup, as this would put a real positive spin on their season. We remember the 07/08 and 12/13 Cup finals, when Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic were the unexpected winners. And after all the FA Cup is a tournament where courage and strength often prevail. Winning this final is also a passage through to European football next season, something that should greatly motivate Palace, but not really United as they have already secured a Europa League spot.

The odds on a Palace win are just too tempting to miss – 5.00. The bookmakers are underestimating the magic of the FA Cup.

We also think that both teams will play it safe in the 1st half. The stakes are too high for teams to go racing off from the start and each team is likely to try and feel their way into the game. With this in mind, under 0.5 goals 1st half goals at 13/8 with William Hill looks a good bet.