Just as happened in the League Cup, won two weeks ago by Newcastle – the Magpies hadn’t won a title in more than half a century – in the FA Cup, the most prestigious national cup, a so-called outsider, i.e. not one of the usual suspects, could triumph this year. The only big team still in the running when we reached the quarter-finals is Manchester City, who face the formidable Bournemouth.
But one of the most interesting matches is the London derby between Fulham and Crystal Palace, two clubs that have never won anything really important in their history. It is therefore a golden opportunity for both the Cottagers and the Eagles, as the match at Craven Cottage will decide who goes through to the semi-finals.
For Fulham, who won on penalties against Manchester United in the last round of the cup, winning the FA Cup would be another way to return to European football after many years: Marco Silva’s men could actually qualify through the league, considering that thanks to their 2-0 win over Tottenham on the last day before the break, they moved up to eighth place, just three points behind fifth place, which will most likely mean Champions League football at the end of the season. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are stuck in their “comfort zone,” twelfth in the table and just one step away from the fateful 40-point threshold.
Eagles on the back of four straight wins
This means that the team led by Austrian Oliver Glasner has already secured its place in the league for some time now. However, if they want to aim for something more important, they will need to put in more effort.
Palace, however, seem to have made significant progress recently. This is demonstrated by their three consecutive Premier League wins – four if we also take into account the 3-1 victory over Millwall in the FA Cup – including the win against Fulham on February 22, which came at Craven Cottage (0-2, goals from Munoz and an own goal by Andersen). On that occasion, Glasner and his men avenged their defeat in November against the Cottagers, who won by the same score at Selhurst Park.
Odds comparison
The “Goal” bet is priced at 1.80 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.77 on Snai. The “X2” sign is quoted at 1.55 on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai.
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The prediction
Palace are shining especially away from home, where they have won their last five games in various competitions. The fruits of Glasner’s labor are beginning to show: his team defends very well but does not give up on attacking (in the last five games, they have scored 10 goals and conceded only two). The fact that the Eagles recently won at Craven Cottage makes this match even more unpredictable, and it could turn the season around for both teams. This time, we expect at least one goal per side, and extra time cannot be ruled out.
Probable lineups for Fulham-Crystal Palace
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Pereira, Berge; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Willian; Muniz.
CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-3): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi; Munoz, Wharton, Schlupp, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1