Fulham And Crystal Palace Clash In FA Cup Quarter-Finals

In an electrifying clash set to unfold at Craven Cottage, Fulham and Crystal Palace will face off in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Both London clubs are in pursuit of a coveted spot in the semi-finals, and given their shared history of never having lifted the FA Cup, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Fulham, currently sitting eighth in the Premier League, are riding high after a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur just before the international break. Goals from Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon propelled the Cottagers to this impressive win, which has reignited their hopes of European qualification for the first time since the 2011/12 season. Manager Marco Silva's side advanced to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup by knocking out Manchester United in a dramatic penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Bernd Leno emerging as the hero by saving two penalties.

On the other hand, Crystal Palace, managed by Oliver Glasner, have also been performing well in recent weeks. The Eagles secured their place in the last eight by defeating Championship side Millwall 3-1, although the match was overshadowed by a serious head injury to star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. Fortunately, Mateta has been cleared to play, albeit with a protective mask, and his return will be crucial for Palace as they aim to continue their fine form.

Historically, the rivalry between these two clubs has been closely contested. In their last six encounters at Craven Cottage, Fulham has struggled to secure a victory, with Palace remaining unbeaten in their last six visits. The last meeting saw Palace claim a 2-0 victory, with Joachim Andersen scoring an own goal against his former side before Daniel Muñoz sealed the win.

As both teams prepare for this London derby, the anticipation is palpable. Fulham are looking to make home advantage count, while Palace will aim to extend their unbeaten run against the Cottagers. The Eagles have won four of their last five Premier League fixtures on the road, setting a club record, and they are keen to carry that momentum into the FA Cup.

In terms of team news, Fulham will be without Reiss Nelson, Kenny Tete, and Harry Wilson due to injuries. However, they will welcome back midfielder Sasa Lukic, who has served a two-match suspension. This could lead to a reshuffle in the starting lineup, potentially seeing Emile Smith Rowe drop to the bench. The Cottagers are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Leno in goal, supported by a back four of Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, and Robinson. Lukic and Berge are likely to anchor the midfield, while Traore, Pereira, and Iwobi provide support to striker Raúl Jiménez, who recently enjoyed a prolific international break, scoring all four goals for Mexico in their CONCACAF Nations League triumph.

For Crystal Palace, the absence of Joel Ward, Cheick Doucouré, and Chadi Riad due to injuries will be felt, but the return of Mateta is a significant boost. Palace is also set to field Matt Turner in goal, with a defensive trio of Richards, Guehi, and Lacroix. The midfield will feature Hughes and Lerma, while the attack is expected to include Muñoz, Eze, and Mateta in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Statistically, Fulham have not progressed past the quarter-finals in their last four attempts, highlighting the pressure on them to break this trend. Conversely, Crystal Palace has a stronger record in this round, having progressed from four of their last five FA Cup quarter-final ties. The Eagles will be keen to capitalize on their good form and history against Fulham as they aim for a semi-final berth.

As the match approaches, the Opta supercomputer has predicted a 46.3% chance of a Fulham victory in normal time, while Palace has a 27.1% chance. With both teams capable of producing high-quality football, fans can expect an exhilarating contest on the banks of the River Thames.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12:15 GMT (8:15 AM ET, 5:15 AM PT), and the match will be officiated by referee Darren England, with VAR support from Rob Jones. Both sets of supporters will be hoping for a thrilling encounter, with the promise of a place in the semi-finals hanging in the balance.

In this high-stakes FA Cup quarter-final, the desire for glory will fuel both teams, making it a must-watch event for football enthusiasts. Will Fulham finally overcome their home hoodoo against Palace, or will the Eagles continue their dominance in this fierce London rivalry? The answer awaits as the two sides clash in what promises to be a memorable encounter.