Pep Guardiola conceded that the FA Cup was not Manchester City's top priority this season, but insisted his team will go all out to win the trophy on Saturday. 

City face Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium, with victory in the capital providing a silver lining to what has been a "horrific season", as said by striker Erling Haaland.

Guardiola's team are fourth in the Premier League, 18 points behind champions Liverpool, having endured an unprecedented run of form between November and December.

The Citizens were also knocked out of the Champions League play-offs by Real Madrid, leaving the FA Cup as their only chance of lifting silverware this season. 

This will be City's 14th FA Cup final. They have won the trophy seven times, behind only Arsenal (14), Manchester United (13), Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham (eight each).

Guardiola has won the FA Cup twice (2019, 2023) and the EFL Cup four times (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021).

He could become the second manager to win both major English domestic competitions three or more times, after Alex Ferguson (five FA Cups, four EFL Cups).

And though City are in a good position to secure Champions League football, Guardiola acknowledged the importance of their clash with Palace.

"That is the problem, right? The FA Cup now is not the first choice. Of course, we want it. Once we are here, of course, we want the trophy. It is massively important," Guardiola said. 

"It was a disappointment last season [losing in the final to Manchester United]. But I'm pretty sure we'll perform well, and we are going to compete against them.

"It's the final of the FA Cup, it's an honour and a privilege. Third time in a row being there, and we have to perform well. We travel to London to win the title."

Guardiola did, however, have words of praise for Palace, who are competing in their third FA Cup final after losing to Manchester United in both 1990 and 2016.

The Eagles have conceded just one goal in the 2024-25 FA Cup so far, while they have scored exactly three goals in their fifth-round, quarter-final and semi-final victories this term.

And part of their success has been down to the form of Eberechi Eze, who has been involved in four goals in his last four games in the FA Cup (three goals, one assist). 

The England international had not registered a single goal or assist in any of his first 14 appearances in the competition, but has burst into life for Palace in recent weeks. 

Though City are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Palace in all competitions (W4 D3), Guardiola was worried about the threat the Eagles possess in the final third. 

"It is a fantastic team. They have had a really good second part of the season. They have had more than a year with Oliver working with the same players," Guardiola said.

"They are a threat because they have quality. Mateta is strong, and the quality in Eze is obvious, and, of course, the pace from Sarr. Wharton is a really good holding midfielder.

"They are well-structured defensively and their set-pieces are one of the best in the Premier League."