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Fulham are in FA Cup third round action on Thursday as they take on Watford at Craven Cottage.
Marco Silva’s side sit above the halfway mark in the Premier League table, but they were just disappointed. Claimed a point against Ipswich Town last time out.
However, the Cottagers have proved difficult for the division’s best this term, with teams from Liverpool and Arsenal dropping points for the west Londoners.
They have typically been defeated in the fourth round in the competition in recent years, with their previous loss at this stage coming in 2019.
Watford have an excellent record against their next opponents, but they enter Thursday’s cup tie in poor form, initially making a strong start to the Championship season. The Hornets have dropped to ninth place after losing four of their previous five games.
They have struggled in the third round since their final defeat to Manchester City in 2019.
here is 90 minutes Guidance for Fulham Watford vs Watford in the third round of the FA Cup.
Fulham vs Watford H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
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Fulham |
Watford |
|---|---|
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Fulham 2-2 Ipswich – 05/01/25 |
Watford 1-2 Sheffield Utd – 04/01/25 |
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Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth – 29/12/24 |
QPR 3-1 Watford – 01/01/25 |
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Chelsea 1-2 Fulham – 26/12/24 |
Watford 1-2 Cardiff – 29/12/24 |
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Fulham 0-0 Southampton – 22/12/24 |
Watford 2-1 Portsmouth – 26/12/24 |
|
Liverpool 2-2 Fulham – 14/12/24 |
Burnley 2-1 Watford – 21/12/24 |
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the country |
TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra – Not televised |
|
United States |
ESPN+, ESPN app |
|
Canada |
Sportsnet Now Sportsnet East Sportsnet Ontario Sportsnet Pacific Sportsnet West Sportsnet Now Plus |
Silva is bound to shuffle his pack from Sunday’s draw with Ipswich. Raul Jimenez, who saved a point for the Cottagers, is expected to be rested.
Silva has Rodrigo Muniz, who has so far failed to build on his breakout 2023/24 campaign, in the reserves. He will be keen to get the scoresheet here.
Reece Nelson and Kenny Tate won’t return until February at the earliest due to respective hamstring and knee injuries, but Sander Berge has a chance to make his comeback from an ankle problem on Thursday. Harrison Reed remains on the sidelines.
Fulham Predicted Lineup vs Watford (4-2-3-1): take; Chestnuts, Diop, Cuenca, Sessegnon; Pereira, Lukic; Traore, Smith Row, Iwobi; Muniz.
Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann is without a start for the long haul due to an ankle ligament injury, so Jonathan Bond should get the nod between the sticks for the closers.
There is likely to be less rotation from the visitors than their hosts, but there could be some change from manager Tom Cleverley. Experienced trio Moussa Sissoko, Ryan Porteous and Tom Innes could all come into Watford’s 3-5-2, while Wakoun Issoff Bio could be added up top.
Kevin Keben is out, but Tom Dele-Bashiru could be in contention after recovering from a knee injury.
Watford Predicted Lineup vs Fulham (3-5-2): bond; Portius, Pollock, Sierralta; Andrews, Kayembe, Sissoko, Luza, Ngakia; Come on, Bah.
Watford’s poor form does not bode well entering Thursday’s game, with Fulham having lost just twice at the Cottage in the Premier League this term. While European football is a possibility, Silva will undoubtedly take the competition seriously.
The FA Cup gives the Hornets some respite from relentless Championship action, and they should be competitive here. A possible Fulham switch opens the door, and the return of Watford’s veterans should help them against superior opposition.
These can be front and back cup ties which Premier League escapes from the side.
