'Today is our day' - Palace fans head to Wembley for FA Cup showdown

Eugene Borges and Pamela Gould left at 05:15 to enjoy the atmosphere in London

Crystal Palace fans from across the country are descending on Wembley for the final of the FA Cup to see their side take on Manchester City.

The Eagles have made it to this stage twice before but never been victorious, while their opponents are seven-time winners.

However, this year there is a certain belief among many Palace fans.

"It's in the stars, everyone's been saying it. Today is our day and my dream will hopefully come true" says Eugene Borges.

A bus driver by trade who comes from Upton upon Severn in Worcestershire, Eugene says he left home at 05:15 BST to get to the game and is predicting a 3-1 Palace win.

"I've been supporting Palace since the 70s and here we are today.

"The atmosphere is absolutely electric. There's a big belief that it's going to happen today - and it will happen," he says.

Crystal Palace beat Aston Villa 3-0 to reach the FA Cup final

Such confidence is shared by many who are heading to north-west London.

Kitted out in red trousers, a red suit jacket and a Crystal Palace shirt, Pamela Gould has made her way from Cheltenham to attend the match.

"I think they're playing amazingly. I think they're doing a fantastic job. Their semi-final was just an amazing game," she says.

"They showed what they were about - I think they could do it today. We're behind them 100%."

She says she "couldn't sleep last night because I was so excited", but adds that "not many have slept last night in anticipation of the game.

"I've never seen a fan base so enthusiastic."

Brendan hopes to secure a last-minute ticket for his son - but it must be in the Palace end

Brendan, who was originally from Croydon but now lives in the Midlands, says he is heading to Wembley where he is hoping to secure a ticket to the final for his son.

"It's got to be in the Palace end," he says. "I'm a believer - I'm a Palace fan, you've got to believe.

"It's the hope that kills you. We will get a ticket. The game might be over, but we're still going to get a ticket. I'm like a dog with a bone, I don't give in easy."

He adds he is hoping for a 3-1 Palace win.

Amanda believes she will be tears even if her side win or lose

Amanda, from Lancashire, says she drove down on Friday with her sister and two of her best friends for the final.

"I'm nervous," she explains. "I was like a kid on Christmas day yesterday evening. I couldn't really sleep.

"We're very hopeful. I think everyone thinks we've got a much better chance than when we were there in 2016."

That was the last time Crystal Palace were in the final, going on to lose 2-1 to Manchester United.

Win or lose, Amanda believes she will be crying this evening.

"There will be tears," she says. "Come on you Palace."

Caitlin Scullion says she will get an eagle tattoo if Crystal Palace win

Richard Capps is another who has travelled a long way to make the game, having come from Cheddar in Somerset.

"The bookies will make Man City the favourite, and they're seldom wrong. But this is going to be one of those days when they are wrong."

"It's our year. I can't wait for the victory parade next week," he adds.

Hailing from Croydon, Caitlin Scullion says she is feeling nervous ahead of the match but is predicting a 1-0 victory.

"The nerves are definitely high right now, but I'm so excited," the 24-year-old says. "It's a big time for our club."

She says she'll be watching the match with her friend Ryan, and the pair plan to get eagle tattoos if the club are victorious.

"It'll either be the greatest day or we're just happy we were here. The community is really together today."