Why Chelsea Have Advantage In FA Cup Final — Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed concerns his team’s grueling fixture schedule could hand Chelsea an advantage in Saturday’s FA Cup final.

City are embroiled in a last-ditch bid to catch Premier League leaders Arsenal, but their slender title hopes will be on hold this weekend as they head to Wembley in search of a cup double.

Guardiola’s side who beat Arsenal in the League Cup final in March, had to play Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday and they will be back in top-flight action just three days after facing Chelsea when they head to Bournemouth.

Although Guardiola made six changes for a 3-0 win against Palace that left them two points behind Arsenal with two games left, the Spaniard is worried fatigue could affect his players in the Cup final clash.

“After the FA Cup, it is Bournemouth, we play every three days. Chelsea have a week at home training, preparing the final,” he was quoted on Sky Sports.

“We have to travel to London. They will be at home with their wife and kids. So that is fatigue and fatigue and fatigue.”

Guardiola tried to alleviate the physical toll by starting with Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, and Jeremy Doku on the bench against Palace.

“I have full confidence in all the squad, including the ones that didn’t play against Palace. They are so good,” Guardiola said

“I thought we needed more energy. Savinho, Antoine (Semenyo), and Omar (Marmoush) were really good. Now we rest and focus on the final.”

City are appearing in the FA Cup final for a record fourth successive season, but they lost the last two, against Crystal Palace in 2025 and Manchester United two years ago.

Guardiola has won the FA Cup twice, in 2019 and 2023, and a third triumph in the competition would seal his 20th trophy since arriving at City a decade ago.