Once again, Palace and Watford travel to Wembley to face each other in what is another massive game for both clubs.
Many recall only too well how the last meeting went that was hosted by the world renowned stadium and Eagles fans will have their fingers crossed for a very similar outcome.
The semi-final clash goes to show just how far the teams have come since that play off final in May 2013 where an extra time penalty by Kevin Phillips sealed promotion back to the big time for Palace.
Arguably, the FA Cup semi-final will not mean quite as much financially compared with the fixture dubbed the ‘richest game in the world’ but the potential to become a cup winner for the first time in either clubs history is the ultimate reward.
Watford have enjoyed a good first season back in the top flight without the threat of relegation that most that experience promotion desperately try to avoid. Meanwhile, Palace have disappointed somewhat after a fantastic start to the campaign but dropping off drastically until only a very recent revival.
Neither team have had the best preparation leading into the game but was perhaps a clear case of both having one eye on the semi final rather than their league fixture. Palace took a depleted squad up to Old Trafford and returned with a 2-0 defeat while Watford lost 3-1 at West Ham United.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Kwesi Appiah, Marouane Chamakh and Brede Hangeland all continue to miss out while Dwight Gayle is a doubt. Those that missed the midweek defeat at United are all expected to return.
Watford – No injury concerns for the Hornets. Nordin Amrabat misses out through suspension.
Action Replay
A very frustrating afternoon for Palace in the last meeting which was at Selhurst Park. The visitors took the lead courtesy of Troy Deeney penalty after quarter of an hour but the Eagles managed to get back level just before the break with Emmanuel Adebayor scoring the goal. After plenty of chances for the hosts went begging, Tory Deeney scored his second and the winner for Watford to return to Vicarage Road with all three points. Just to sum up the afternoon, Pape Souare was sent off in the dying seconds for a poor challenge.
Form Guide
Last six meetings between the two sides;
- 13th February 2016: Crystal Palace 1-2 Watford
- 27th September 2015: Watford 0-1 Crystal Palace
- 27th May 2013: Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford
- 8th February 2013: Watford 2-2 Crystal Palace
- 18th August 2012: Crystal Palace 2-3 Watford
- 18th February 2012: Crystal Palace 4-0 Watford
In the last six games the form is pretty even in comparison as Palace have won one, drawn three and lost two while Watford have won two, drawn one and lost three. Only two points separate the two teams in the Premier League.
Form Players
Yohan Cabaye (7.28), Heurelho Gomes (7.20), Troy Deeney (7.20), Nathan Aki (7.17), Yannick Bolasie (7.14), Scott Dann (7.06)
Route To The Semi
Palace began their road to Wembley at Southampton winning 2-1. It was then back to Selhurst Park for a 1-0 win over Stoke City followed by an excellent 1-0 win at title chasing Tottenham. The quarter final draw was favourable for the Eagles who saw off Reading 2-0.
Watford kicked off with a 1-0 win at home to Newcastle United before heading off to Championship side Nottingham Forest and winning by the same score-line. Another 1-0 win followed in the fourth round, this time at Leeds United. The quarter final took the Hornets to Arsenal and in an excellent performance, they beat the holders 2-1.
Previous FA Cup Meetings (courtesy of Holmesdale.net)
The first meeting between the two in the FA Cup was November 1960. A goalless game at Selhurst meant that the tie went to a replace which Watford won 1-0 at Vicarage Road. They were not drawn together until February 1995 when another goalless draw, this time at Vicarage Road, took the tie to a replay but this time Palace got their revenge with a 1-0 win. In January 2008 Watford knocked Palace out of the competition with a 2-0 victory at Vicarage Road and again almost a year later winning a pulsating cup tie 4-3.
One To Watch
Ben Watson
We already know a lot about ‘Prince Harry’ but he is the driving force of this Watford side along with fellow midfielder Etienne Capoue. His ability with a dead ball is a real threat for Palace and a former cup winner with Wigan Athletic will be out to taste more success in the final. The thirty year old graduated from the Palace youth academy and made over 150 appearances for the first team. He moved to Wigan in 2009 where he scored the winner in the 2013 FA Cup final against Manchester City. In his time with the Latics he had loan spells at Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion but suffered a spell out on the side-lines after breaking his leg in November 2010. He joined Watford in 2015.
Predictions
Both clubs have a very similar pedigree in the FA Cup. The Hornets reached the final in 1984 only to be narrowly beaten by Everton while Palace lost to Manchester United in a replay in 1990. There is no doubt that when the draw for the semi-final stage was made the two would have been happy with this match up and will see it as their best chance to reach the final since they last did so.
- TEB prediction – Palace win
- Bradley Hayden prediction (see link below) – Watford win
- Who Scored prediction – Watford win
Betting Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Palace win 6/4
- Draw (after regular time) 23/10
- Watford win 15/8
- Both teams to score 5/6
Find out what Bradley from WatfordFCBlog told TEB this week in The Watford View.
