Pep Guardiola is desperate to see his Manchester City side perform well against Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

City are the first team to play in four consecutive FA Cup finals, beating Manchester United in 2023 before losing to the Red Devils in 2024 and Crystal Palace in 2025.

Having already won the EFL Cup, City could win both major English domestic cup competitions this season.

It would be the sixth time a team has done so after Arsenal in 1992-93, Liverpool in both 2000-01 and 2021-22, Chelsea in 2006-07 and the Citizens themselves in 2018-19.

Guardiola has urged his side to rise to the occasion as the Spaniard prepares for another trip to Wembley Stadium.

"I am disappointed they have not made a stand for Pep," joked Guardiola in his press conference.

"So many times I have been there, at least a lounge or a box or something like that. Maybe I have to go 24 more times.

"It is still a special place. Since I've been with Barcelona, when I won the first Champions League with my club [as a player] and then against Manchester United, the second time as a manager.

"I have been many times since I have been there. We win, lose, win. It is really good to go to Wembley again. It's going to be a good game. Top.

"Everything is so nice. The pitch is extraordinary. Hopefully it will be a nice day. We are desperate to perform well."

This is Chelsea’s 17th FA Cup final, the third most after United (22) and Arsenal (21).

They have won eight and lost eight of their finals so far, losing each of their last three in a row.

Chelsea’s Alejandro Garnacho scored against City in the 2024 showpiece for United – no player has scored in an FA Cup final against the same opponent for two different teams.

The only players to score against an opponent in two different finals (excluding replays) are Blackburn Rovers’ Jimmy Forrest against Queens’ Park in 1884 and 1885 and Liverpool’s Ian Rush versus Everton in 1986 and 1989.

"I love this stadium and it’s always a good feeling to go to Wembley," said Garnacho. "From the start of my career, I have played there every season. I think that is important.

"Playing another FA Cup final and this time winning with Chelsea, a different club, would be special.

"Everyone is excited for the FA Cup and it’s a final that is important. We'll try to do everything right and hopefully, we can get another trophy."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea – Enzo Fernandez

Fernandez has been involved in six goals in nine FA Cup appearances for Chelsea (four goals, two assists), scoring the winner in the semi-final against Leeds United this season.

2011-12 was the last time a Blues player scored in the semi-final and final in a single season, when Didier Drogba and Ramires both did so.

Manchester City – Erling Haaland

Haaland is looking to score in a final for City for the first time – he’s played in nine finals (including the Community Shield) and had 15 shots without success.

His last goal in a final was for Borussia Dortmund against RB Leipzig in May 2021 in the DFB-Pokal, when he scored twice. Wembley is also the only stadium he’s played at more than twice for City without scoring (eight games, 601 minutes, 11 shots).

MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER CITY WIN

This will be the seventh meeting between Chelsea and City at Wembley (as a neutral venue) – only Chelsea versus United has been played there more often (nine times).

Since losing the 2020-21 Champions League final to Chelsea, City have not lost any of their last 13 games against the Blues in all competitions (W10 D3), their longest unbeaten run against them.

City have won 21 of their last 23 matches in the FA Cup, with their only defeats in that time coming in the finals in 2024 and 2025.

In that time, City’s shots per game has been higher in finals (21) than from the third round to semi-finals (19) but their shot conversion in finals is just 2%, compared to 19% in the earlier rounds.

Chelsea’s last eight matches at Wembley have produced just seven goals in total (four goals, three conceded), while they have failed to score in each of their last four finals at the national stadium since a fifth-minute Christian Pulisic goal against Arsenal in the 2020 FA Cup final.

Nevertheless, Chelsea have scored 21 goals in the FA Cup this season, their joint-second most in a season along with the 21 they scored in 2006-07. Only in 1969-70 have they netted more (25), when they beat Leeds in a replay in the final.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chelsea – 20.3%

Draw – 21.6%

Manchester City – 58.1%