Separated by fewer than 10 miles in England’s bustling capital, London rivals Fulham and Crystal Palace vie for a coveted FA Cup semi-final place in Saturday afternoon’s quarter-final tie at Craven Cottage.
The hosts’ penalty-kick prowess enabled them to eliminate Manchester United from the previous round, while the Eagles trounced Millwall in a clash overshadowed by a sickening injury to Jean-Philippe Mateta.
We say: Fulham 1-1 Crystal Palace (a.e.t, Fulham win on penalties)
Talk about an impossible game to call; both Fulham and Palace went into the international break with the wind in their sails, and the highly-anticipated return of Mateta should see the Eagles pack more of an attacking punch than they did against Ipswich.
However, there will surely not be a clear winner in this one even after 120 minutes are up, and if spot kicks are needed to decide both teams’ fates, we are backing the Cottagers to replicate their recent success from 12 yards and advance to Wembley.
> FA Cup preview: Fulham vs Crystal Palace
> The big Mateta decision: Predicted Palace XI vs. Fulham
> Smith Rowe out, Sasa in: Predicted Fulham XI vs. Palace
Clashing in the FA Cup for the first time ever, Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest collide in Saturday’s fascinating quarter-final showdown at the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls dramatically got the better of Newcastle United 2-1 in the last 16, while Nuno Espirito Santo’s men needed penalties to eliminate a plucky Ipswich Town outfit.
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Nottingham Forest (a.e.t, Forest win on penalties)
Forest’s propensity to ship goals on the road and Brighton’s recent knack for netting multiple times equals a terrific watch for the neutrals, one that could very well go the distance and be decided on spot kicks.
Hurzeler’s men might have home advantage in their favour, but the Tricky Trees have already prevailed twice on spot kicks in this season’s competition and have our vote to complete a hat-trick of shootout wins en route to Wembley.
> FA Cup preview: Brighton vs Nott’m Forest
> Will Wood shake off injury scare? Predicted Forest XI vs. Brighton
> Dunk at the back, Welbeck in attack: Predicted Brighton XI vs. Forest
