Fulham vs Crystal Palace - Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

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·28 marzo 2025

Fulham vs Crystal Palace - Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

Both Premier League meetings between these two sides this season produced 2-0 away wins, with Palace therefore now unbeaten in six visits to Craven Cottage.

The pair have only ever met once before in the FA Cup, the Eagles prevailing in a second round replay 118 years ago.

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Fulham vs Crystal Palace Preview

A huge afternoon awaits in West London, as these two capital city rivals both battle to book their place at Wembley. Hosts Fulham have never won the FA Cup, beaten finalists in 1975, reaching the semi-finals only once during the subsequent half-decade, beaten by Chelsea at Villa Park in 2002.

So far this season, Marco Silva's side have ousted Watford, Wigan and then Manchester United, prevailing on penalties at Old Trafford earlier this month; Bernd Leno the hero, pulling off two saves. Meantime, the Cottagers are also enjoying an impressive Premier League campaign, beating Tottenham 2-0 at home a fortnight ago, thanks to goals from Rodrigo Muniz and then Ryan Sessegnon against his former side. This leaves the Whites eighth, thereby occupying the final potential European spot, seeking to get back into UEFA competition for the first time since 2011/12. Now, can Fulham make home advantage count and book their place in the semi-finals?

Crystal Palace meantime have also never won the FA Cup, defeated in the finals of 1990 and 2016, both times by Man United, seeking to reach only their sixth semi-final. Oliver Glasner's side have so far enjoyed victories over Stockport, Doncaster and fierce rivals Millwall, with Daniel Muñoz and Eddie Nketiah on target during this month's hotly-contested South London derby at Selhurst.

The Eagles may actually be pleased this latest London derby is away from home, considering they've won each of their last four Premier League fixtures on the road, a new club-record in the top-flight. In fact, Palace have won six of their last eight league outings anywhere, including each of the last three, climbing up to 12th, a mere six points below their hosts. So, having won at Craven Cottage as recently as 22 February, do Palace actually kick off as favourites come Saturday lunchtime on the banks of the River Thames?

Fulham vs Crystal Palace Head-to-Head Record

Matches Played: 52.

Fulham Wins: 19. Draws: 19. Crystal Palace Wins: 15.

Fulham Team News

Saša Lukić can return to midfield, having sat out the last two Premier League fixtures suspended, but Kenny Tete, Reiss Nelson and Harry Wilson remain sidelined.

Meantime, having not traveled to the United States during the international break, Antonee Robinson is a doubt. Should he not make it, Ryan Sessegnon will deputise at left-back, fresh from scoring his first goal at Craven Cottage since Boxing Day 2018, 2,272 days earlier to be precise, against his former employers Spurs.

Lastly, out-wide, Willian got the nod over Adama Traoré for the victory over Tottenham, so it'll be intersting to see who Marco Silva goes for this time.

Fulham predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Lukić, Troaré, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jiménez.

Fulham Players to Watch vs Crystal Palace

Raúl Jiménez certainly enjoyed his international break, scoring all four of Mexico's goals as they beat Canada and then Panama to win the CONCACAF Nations League in LA. The striker also has 12 club goals to his name this season, albeit he's never found the net in ten previous meetings with Crystal Palace, the most he's faced any single opponent without scoring.

Crystal Palace Team News

The big news for Palace is that star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta can return, set to wear a protective mask, having suffered an horrific head, and most specifically ear, injury during the previous round against Millwall.

In goal, Matt Turner has started all three FA Cup ties so far but, after less than impressive showings for USA this week, Dean Henderson could be donning the gloves. Chadi Riad, Joel Ward and Cheick Doucouré remain sidelined, but Oliver Glasner has plenty of good options at his disposal.

Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Fulham: (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Guéhi, Lacroix; Muñoz, Lerma, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze, Mateta.

Crystal Palace Player to Watch vs Fulham

Daniel Muñoz scored at Craven Cottage last month and in the previous round against Millwall, taking his tally to five for the season, and impressive tally from full-back. So, despite having started for Colombia against Paraguay in Barranquilla in the early hours of Wednesday morning, he'll continue to be a key figure for his club.

Fulham vs Crystal Palace Prediction

As referenced earlier, we are backing Crystal Palace for victory. The Eagles are in slightly better form, and are excellent on the road, so we're backing the to soar to Wembley: Fulham 1-2 Crystal Palace.