Fulham vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Mateta begins as staff information revealed for FA Cup quarter-final conflict
Fulham play host to Crystal Palace in an intriguing contest to determine which of the two Premier League clubs make it into the FA Cup semi-finals.
Marco Silva’s side have been a delightful surprise in the top flight this season and, currently sitting in eighth, they have a strong chance of securing a place in Europe next season. They sit four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and the FA Cup presents a solid opportunity to win silverware too.
The Cottagers are bidding to reach their first FA Cup semi-final since 2001/02 and will be wary of a Palace side that defeated then 2-0 in the league just over a month ago.
Oliver Glasner’s Eagles have been in fine form of late and hope to reach a second final in nine seasons after their loss to Manchester United in 2016.
Follow all the action and updates from Craven Cottage with our live blog below:
Interview: Jan Paul van Hecke on Brighton’s next step and lessons from Virgil van Dijk
On listening to Jan Paul van Hecke talk, you can start to understand why Fabian Hurzeler has empowered the centre-half to speak more, especially in a week like this.
Brighton and Hove Albion have been so focused on setting the right mindset that they have been sending their squad clips of late goals. The idea is to foster belief, especially as the club aims to take that crucial next step and win their first-ever major trophy through the FA Cup. “I feel like we really can do something in this cup,” Van Hecke says.
The Dutch centre-half’s approach helps. “I like to motivate other players,” Van Hecke explains, but staff say that is typical of this leader’s humility. The 24-year-old has naturally emerged as a senior voice.
Read the full interview below:
When is the FA Cup semi-final draw?
The FA Cup semi-final draw will take place on Sunday 30 March after the conclusion of Preston North End v Aston Villa, which kicks off at 1:30pm, so we can expect the draw to take place at approximately 3:45pm or later.
How to watch the FA Cup draw
The draw will take place live as part of BBC One’s broadcast of Preston North End v Aston Villa. It will also stream live on BBC iPlayer.
Mark Chapman will host the draw, while Joe Hart will conduct it.
When is the FA Cup semi-final draw?
Jean-Philippe Mateta is back, and back with a vengeance
Before his injury, he had scored eight goals in nine games and he will be chomping at the bit to get back in action, having missed the 1-0 win over Ipswich last time out.
He has 20 for the season, for club and country, so far and he will provide the biggest threat to the Fulham defence.
Both teams eyeing a rare FA Cup final appearance
Fulham reached their only final in 1975, where they were beaten 2-0 by West Ham, while Palace have been beaten twice in the final by Manchester United.
The first time was in 1990, when they drew 3-3 with the Red Devils at Wembley, before Lee Martin scored the only goal of the game in the replay – a result which many say kept Sir Alex Ferguson in his job.
The same two sides met 26 years later and on that occasion United ran out 2-1 winners after extra time to lift the trophy for the 12th time.
Fulham vs Crystal Palace: Confirmed line-ups
Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Pereira, Iwobi, Willian; Muniz.
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Lerma, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze.
Fulham chasing redemption against the Eagles
Things didn’t go Fulham’s way when the two sides met at the Cottage last month.
There was no love lost for former Palace defender Joachim Andersen, who nodded into his own net to give his former side the lead before half-time.
Daniel Munoz then fired home to double the Eagles’s lead after the break, condemning their London rivals to a home defeat that acted as a blow to their European hopes.
Today acts as a chance for Fulham to avenge that loss.
Odds for today’s clash
Fulham win – 13/10
Draw – 11/5
Palace win – 11/5
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Predicted lineups
Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Willian; Jimenez.
Palace XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta.
Crystal Palace team news
The big news for Palace is that Jean-Philippe Mateta has been cleared to make a return, so he will likely play upfront.
Elsewhere, Will Hughes will sit out this match due to suspension, while Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad are the longer-term absentees.
