When the FA Cup final kicks off, all eyes will be on Wembley as Manchester City and Chelsea battle for silverware. Former City defender Joleon Lescott has weighed in on the showdown, and while he tips his old club as favorites, he warns that Chelsea have the firepower to pull off a surprise.

Lescott, speaking ahead of TNT’s coverage of the final, pointed to City's blistering form as the reason they enter the match with the upper hand. "Not just because I’m affiliated with the club, but the form of the two teams and the way they’re both performing at the minute, it would make City favourites," he explained. However, he quickly added that Chelsea's squad is packed with top-tier talent capable of rising to the occasion. "Like you get with top players, which Chelsea do have, they rise to the occasion. They have a reference of beating or playing well against City early in the season. So, I’m sure that they’ll be using that to try and get a positive outcome."

That reference point? A gutsy 1-1 draw against Pep Guardiola's side during interim boss Calum McFarlane's first spell in charge back in January. It's a result that gives Chelsea belief, even if City's recent dominance makes them the team to beat.

For Chelsea to triumph, they'll likely need a standout performance from their star man, Cole Palmer. But the young playmaker has endured a turbulent 12 months, battling injuries and inconsistent form. Lescott, a self-confessed "massive fan" of Palmer, believes the struggles are down to sheer fatigue. "He’s played, I think it’s a few summers now with the Euros, England and the under-21s. I think it might be three years he hasn’t had a break. So, yeah, that may be the impact on his body in regard to being injured this season."

Despite the setbacks, Lescott remains optimistic about Palmer's future. "He’s someone I’m a massive fan of as a football fan. I enjoy watching Cole Palmer. He’s passionate about the game and the way he plays with the freedom and the quality and the skill. But yeah, this season has been difficult due to the injuries and inconsistencies in terms of the run of form and the run of games. But I’m sure once he’s healthy, we’ll see the best of Cole Palmer again."

As the FA Cup final approaches, the stage is set for a classic encounter. Will City's relentless machine roll on, or can Chelsea channel their early-season resilience to lift the trophy? For fans and neutrals alike, it's a matchup that promises drama, passion, and a showcase of the very best in English football.