Pace, power, and a puncher's chance

Over the past 25 seasons, it's unlikely that you would place Manchester City as one of Crystal Palace's most regular opponents. When the teams walk out at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, it will be the 32nd meeting between the clubs since the 2000-01 season.

That run of fixtures began with a home victory at Selhurst Park, Trevor Francis and Kevin Keegan in the respective dugouts, and two clubs in a vastly different place than they are today.

The reality for Palace is that there have only been three more victories in all those years since, and a 48-goal difference in favour of the Manchester club.

It may therefore seem illogical that so many fans have cautious optimism headed into the final.

So, how does Oliver Glasner and his team beat the mighty Manchester City? Pace, set pieces and determination.

This is the most athletic squad the club has had in memory. Whether it's the stamina of either wingback or the straight-line speed of Ismaila Sarr, it's an underlying factor in making Glasner's 3-4-2-1 formation click. Out of possession, the team will work relentlessly to maintain their press but have the energy reserves to throw bodies forward.

The team's ability to break at pace undid Aston Villa in the semi-final. More recently, we saw Nottingham Forest's approach to foul Sarr as he countered, as they did on five occasions.

As a set-piece team, the club has quietly climbed the ranks in the Premier League and has been one of the most prolific scorers. Glasner credits this to the size of his team, but that likely underplays the work done on the training ground.

In the club's last meeting, both strengths were displayed as Palace led 2-0 at the Etihad, and almost 3-0 if not for a narrow VAR offside decision. The missing factor, determination, as the game went on to end 5-2 in an uncharacteristic collapse.

Marc Guehi, captain and key defender, was absent on that day. Palace know they can cause City problems; they hope their on-pitch leader gets them to their resilient best.

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