Two London clubs compete in the first of an intriguing set of FA Cup quarterfinals this weekend while Fulham would face Crystal Palace in Craven Cottage.
The competition is wide open this season, and the disappearance of Manchester City this term means that there is no guarantee that the Cityzens will disturb a history of oppressed as they did in 2019 and 2023.
Fulham and Palace are two of the four teams in the FA Cup who have never raised the trophy. The pair waited so long for a large piece of silverware, and the tension is kept from River in western London on Saturday.
The hosts beat Manchester United holders in penalties to qualify for the last eight, while Palace crossed the Millwall championship outfit. Palace enters the draw as one of the first league form teams, but they are six points behind Fulham, having played a less match.
The 2-0 victory of the cotgers against the Spurs before the international break saw them climb to the eighth and at a touching distance from a place among the first five, which should be enough to play football from the Champions League next season.
Here is 90 minutes Quarter -final guide to the FA Cup on Saturday.
Fulham vs Crystal Palace Record head-to-head (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
Fulham | Crystal Palace |
|---|---|
Fulham 2-0 Tottenham – 03/16/25 | Crystal Palace 1-0 Hamkam – 03/13/25 |
Brighton 2-1 Fulham – 08/03/25 | Crystal Palace 1-0 Ipswich – 08/03/25 |
Man UTD 1-1 (3-4p) Fulham-02/03/25 | Crystal Palace 3-1 Millwall – 01/03/25 |
Wolves 1-2 Fulham – 02/25/25 | Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa – 02/25/25 |
Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace – 02/22/25 | Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace – 02/22/25 |
Country | TV channel / live flow |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | ITVX, STV player, ITV 1 UK. STV Scotland, UTV |
UNITED STATES | ESPN +, ESPN application |
Canada | Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet Now Plus |
Sasa Lukic played an essential role for Fulham this season after the departure of Joao Palhinha last summer, and the Cottagers welcome him this weekend after having served a suspension of two games before the break.
With Lukic back, Marco Silva will decide between Emile Smith Rowe and Andreas Pereira for the last midfielder spot.
Reiss Nelson was excluded for the rest of the season, while Kenny Tete and Harry Wilson remain out of action.
Fulham predicts the VS Palais program (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Adama, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez.
Liam Roberts resumed a ban on six games for his challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta during the victory of the fifth round of the palace over Millwall, and the French striker has been out of service since. However, Mateta received the whole light to play on Saturday.
Oliver Glasner will have to decide if he chooses to start his Star attacker in Craven Cottage or use Eddie Nketiah from the start.
With the back of Mateta, Palace is only missing Joel Ward, Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure by an injury. Matt Turner could continue between the posts for this tie.
Palace predicts the VS Fulham programming (3-4-2-1): Turner; Richards, Guehi, Lacroix; Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta.
Wembley’s outings did not come everything that is often for these two clubs in modern times, and taking into account the occasion that presents the two teams, expect the fight on Saturday to be a nervous affair.
These are a pair of average blocking outfits that have the potential to be canceled, although the in shape paces won the Craven Cottage in the Premier League last month. Three of the five previous meetings ended.
There is the scope of this tie to go to the end, but the dynamics could suit visitors. They are well built to cope with the Fulham cross dam and had joy during the recent meeting on the counterattack. Mateta’s return is huge, and the French striker could dive palace into the last four.
