League One promotion chasers Stockport take on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on Sunday, and we’ve got the latest team news and predicted lineups included in our preview ahead of the action.
Crystal Palace vs Stockport FA Cup Preview
Premier League side Crystal Palace welcome League One outfit Stockport County to Selhurst Park in the FA Cup third round on Sunday afternoon, where the Eagles will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to four straight matches.
Last time out, Oliver Glasner’s side came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Chelsea, following on from a 2-1 win over bottom of the table Southampton and a 0-0 stalemate with European hopefuls Bournemouth.
Recent results have seen Palace climb up to 15th place in the table, five points clear of Ipswich and the relegation zone, while they are just two points behind both West Ham and Manchester United.
The Eagles are two-time runners-up in the FA Cup, in 1989/90 and in 2015/16, however they fell at the first hurdle last term, exiting the competition in the third round after a 1-0 defeat to Everton in a replay.
🔜 Premier League opposition up next for Dave Challinor's side… 🤩#StockportCounty
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) January 7, 2025
Stockport, meanwhile, have already improved on their second round exit last term, reaching the third round this season after overcoming non-league outfits Forest Green Rovers and Brackley in the first and second rounds.
Dave Challinor’s side, who were promoted to the third tier after winning League Two last season, are currently in seventh place in the League One table, three points adrift of Reading in the play-off positions.
They head into FA Cup action in poor form though, having won just one of their last seven matches across all competitions, going winless in their last four, including a 1-0 defeat to Mansfield in their last outing.
Crystal Palace Team News
Eagles boss Glasner has confirmed that Will Hughes “doesn’t look like” he’ll be available, while there are also question marks over Jean-Philippe Mateta, Maxence Lacroix, Tyrick Mitchell, Caleb Kporha and Dean Henderson.
Long-term absentees Matheus Franca, Adam Wharton and Franco Umeh-Chibueze are also ruled out, while former Arsenal defender Rob Holding remains frozen out of the first-team picture.
Stockport Team News
County were dealt a major blow last month after it was confirmed that League One top scorer, Louie Barry, would be recalled from his loan spell by Aston Villa. The youngster notched 16 goals across all competitions for Challinor’s side this term, marking his final appearance with a goal against Rotherham two weeks back.
Elsewhere, Jay Mingi is a doubt after picking up an injury against Birmingham on New Year’s Day.
Crystal Palace vs Stockport Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup:
Turner; Richards, Chalobah, Guehi; Clyne, Doucoure, Devenny, Schlupp; Kamada, Sarr; Nketiah
Stockport Predicted Lineup:
Hinchliffe; Connolly, Hughes, Pye; Knoyle, Norwood, Camps, Touray; Collar, Diamond; Wootton
Crystal Palace vs Stockport Prediction
Unsurprisingly, Crystal Palace are seen as heavy favourites by the UK’s best football betting sites in the buildup to Sunday’s tie, and we at SportsCasting agree with the bookmakers’ assessment.
Stockport are in poor form heading into the tie, winning just one of their last seven matches, and as previously mentioned, they have lost their star man and league top scorer, Barry.
Palace, meanwhile, have lost just two of their last 10 across all competitions, going unbeaten in each of their last three. We simply cannot see an upset on the cards in this one.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-0 Stockport
