29-03-2025
Fulham vs Crystal Palace LIVE: FA Cup match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction
Fulham vs Crystal Palace LIVE
A London derby at Craven Cottage kicks off FA Cup quarter-final weekend as Fulham and Crystal Palace face off for a place in the final four, and a ticket to Wembley. West hosts south east in a London derby this lunchtime as two teams who have never won the world's oldest cup competition look to take a step closer to ending that trophy drought.
For Fulham, a reversal of fortunes is required. They have lost their last four FA Cup quarter-finals - in comparison to Palace's four wins from their last five - but are considered the favourites today. They have won six of their last eight matches in all competitions but fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Palace a little over a month ago.
Palace will be able to welcome back Jean-Philippe Mateta for the first time since his horror ear injury suffered in the last round, but Will Hughes is suspended. Fulham can call on Sasa Lukic after his own ban. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith at Craven Cottage.
Kick-off time: 12.15pm, Craven Cottage
How to watch for free
Early Fulham team news
Early Crystal Palace team news
Match prediction
11:16 , Alex Young
Mateta starts!
The Palace.#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 29, 2025
11:15 , Alex Young
Here's how the hosts look!
Marco Silva's Fulham. ⚪️#FULCRY
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) March 29, 2025
11:05 , Alex Young
The Crystal Palace bus has arrived, team news to come shortly.
10:55 , Alex Young
Our man at the ground checks in.
The Muniz-Muñoz Derby, for a place in the FA Cup França is cheered as he hops off the bus. Craven Cottage a fine setting for this one. #CPFC #FFC
— Dom Smith (@MrDomSmith) March 29, 2025
10:48 , Alex Young
Marco Silva said Fulham will "take it step by step" as they look to achieve a "dream" of silverware in the FA Cup.
It has been 50 years since the Cottagers last reached a major domestic final and victory in their quarter-final meeting with Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage will confirm their spot at Wembley in a last-four clash.
They face a Palace side who claimed a 2-0 win when the teams met in west London last month.
"Our fans weren't able to see Fulham in a (domestic) final and it will be a dream for them. We love them to dream, it's a small coincidence with it being 50 years," Silva said.
"Let's take it step by step, we need to be strong in the quarter-finals.
"It sounds good because it shows the progress (the prospect of a Wembley visit). It's not a coincidence that in my first season we achieved a quarter-final, last season we achieved a semi-final in the Carabao Cup and this season we are in the quarter-finals in the FA Cup.
"It's a privilege for us and the club to be in these decisive games which can help the club take the next steps."
10:40 , Alex Young
It's a beautiful morning on the banks of the Thames.
10:33 , Alex Young
Jean-Philippe Mateta will make his return today, but will be required to wear a mask following his ear injury.
The striker has been training all week at Palace's Copers Cope Road training ground and spent time doing individual work away from his team-mates during the Eagles' week-long training camp in Marbella a fortnight ago.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Eagles boss Oliver Glasner said: 'He trains now for two weeks with us. Of course, always with his protection and it's also important for him to train a little bit.
'We had an internal game during the international break where he could play for 60 minutes without any problems. He's ready."
He added: 'There was nothing fractured and no concussion. It was just the ear — a terrible injury — but some players have said the ear looks better than before!
'The doctor did a great job finding the right protection. They tried two or three masks. It's approved by the Premier League and FA.
'He tried it in training. If I believed it was a problem, I wouldn't play him."
10:25 , Alex Young
It will likely be a nervy encounter on the banks of the River Thames with a place at Wembley is on the line. With it also being a Saturday lunchtime game straight after an international break, it's fair to predict a slightly sluggish start.
These are two evenly matched teams, both boasting good form, but are never really a guarantee of goals - especially when playing each other. This one could go beyond 90 minutes, into extra time or even a penalty shootout.
Crystal Palace to win, after extra time.
10:19 , Alex Young
Crystal Palace predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Eze, Lerma; Mateta
10:13 , Alex Young
Jean-Philippe Mateta is available today for the first time since his horror ear injury, which required 25 stitches.
Mateta will wear a protective mask at Craven Cottage, where he is in line to start the game.
Elsewhere, Palace came through the international break unscathed.
There is, however, a slight doubt over midfielder Will Hughes, who has come down with sickness.
Glasner has tended to pick a strong XI in the FA Cup this season, whereas other Premier League managers have rested more players.
Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure are out for the season.
10:04 , Alex Young
Fulham predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Traore, Pereira, Iwobi; Jimenez
09:56 , Alex Young
Fulham have key midfielder Sasa Lukic available today following a ban.
Lukic served a two-game suspension after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season and could today partner Sander Berge in midfield. Centre-back Joachim Andersen is expected to line up against the club he left last summer.
In attack, manager Marco Silva must choose between Raul Jimenez or Rodrigo Muniz up front. The pair have shared game time this season, with Silva leaning on form to help with his selection decisions.
Behind them, five are competition for three midfield spots as Willian, Emile Smith Rowe, Andreas Pereira, Adama Traore and Alex Iwobi all push to start the London derby.
Long-term absentees Kenny Tete (knee), Harry Wilson (ankle) and Reiss Nelson (hamstring) remain sidelined and will not feature. Nelson is likely out for the season, while right-back Tete will be the first to return to action.
09:49 , Alex Young
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV1. Kick-off is at 12:15pm GMT.
Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via the ITV X app and website.
09:44 , Alex Young
Good morning and welcome to the London Standard's LIVE coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Fulham and Crystal Palace.
It's a London derby at lunchtime, and a place in one of the two Wembley semi-finals is up for grabs. Neither of these teams have ever won the competition, and this year surely presents one of their best opportunities, given the fallen giants seen so far.
Manchester City are favourites, but their form this season makes them fallible favs.
Before we start thinking ahead, let's focus on the game at hand. Kick-off at Craven Cottage is at 12.15pm GMT, so stick with us.
