FA Cup final key battles

Key battles in today's FA Cup

Carlos Tevez v Ryan Shawcross

The Argentinian’s participation in the match is still in doubt as he fights to recover from a hamstring injury, but there is no question that if he is fit and on form his predatory instincts and tireless running will be key to City’s chances of success.

Shawcross has been a consistent Premier League performer for Stoke in central defence but will face a very different sort of afternoon if Tevez does not make it and Roberto Mancini opts for Mario Balotelli or Edin Dzeko up front.

Micah Richards v Jon Walters

Long-serving Richards will be as desperate as anyone in a blue shirt to take the cup back to Manchester, and he will need all his athleticism to stifle the threat posed by Walters, who is in a rich vein of form after a nomadic career to this point.

The 27-year-old, who has been capped by the Republic of Ireland, has scored five goals in his last eight matches for the Potters including a brace in the 5-0 semi-final thrashing of Bolton.

David Silva v Robert Huth

Silva has proved his Premier League quality in his first season in England following a move from Valencia. His range of passing and goalscoring threat make him one of the most effective weapons City have, and Huth, who is facing a fitness race to be fit for the match following a knee problem, will be one of the men charged with picking him up if included.

The German can line up in the centre of defence or on the right and is also a man to mark when Stoke have a set-piece – he has scored nine goals in all competitions so far this season.