Ahead of Thursday’s FA Cup 3rd round clash, we have the Fulham vs Watford preview, prediction, latest team news and predicted lineups.
Fulham Vs Watford Preview
Currently enjoying an eight-game unbeaten run, Fulham will put their sturdy Premier League form on ice this week as they embark on their 2024/25 FA Cup journey.
The Cottagers are proving to be the draw specialists in England’s top-flight this season. Six of their nine stalemates have come since December 1.
Last time out, the west Londoners salvaged a point against newly promoted Ipswich Town. The game entertained three penalties with Raul Jimenez scoring twice from 12 yards. Including his injury-time leveller.
Only Brighton has shared more points with opposing sides this season. The Seagulls have drawn exactly 50% of their 20 league games this campaign.
Nonetheless, boss Marco Silva will be quietly confident of progressing to the next round. Their last four FA Cup ties against lower-league opposition have all ended in victory.
Cup night under the Cottage lights. ⏭️#FULWAT pic.twitter.com/CIVyC5KVej
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 7, 2025
After being in the Championship play-off spots for the majority of this season, Watford have endured a mini slump in recent weeks.
The Hornets have dropped down to ninth spot after losing their last three games on the bounce. Tom Cleverley’s side have tasted defeat to Cardiff, QPR and most recently Sheffield United.
Saturday’s defeat to the Blades was their second home defeat in a row. Gustavo Hamer gave the Yorkshire side the lead before Jeremy Ngakia levelled up. Andre Brooks hit the winner after 53 minutes.
However, Cleverley gets a break from league action with an enticing FA Cup clash to oversee. The former Watford player actually featured for the side in the 6-0 final drubbing to Manchester City in 2019.
Ahead of the match, the best football betting sites in the UK price Fulham as the 31/100 favourites. The Hertfordshire side can be backed at 19/2 with the draw 23/5.
Fulham Vs Watford Team News
Reiss Nelson, Kenny Tete and Harrison Reed will definately miss out through injury for Fulham. Midfielder Sander Berge is rated at 50/50.
Marco Silva is expected to rotate against his former side. Ryan Sessegnon and Jorge Cuenca could be afforded starts at Craven Cottage.
Club-record signing Emile Smith Rowe is likely to start with Adama Traore and Muniz also hoping to force their way into the XI.
Meanwhile, Watford have been rocked by the news that Daniel Bachmann is set to miss the next three months. The goalkeeper injured his ankle ligaments against Sheffield United. Jonathan Bond will fill the void.
Imran Louza and Angelo Ogbonna are pushing for starts and so to is Jeremy Ngakia, who scored his first senior goal on Saturday.
2019 UEFA Champions League finalist Moussa Sissoko is expected to play in midfield with Tom Ince also featuring. Vakoun Bayo will partner Kwadwo Baah up front.
Cup action at Craven Cottage 🔜 pic.twitter.com/HZLSTK2C8P
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) January 7, 2025
Fulham Vs Watford Predicted Lineups
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Cuenca, Sessegnon; Pereira, Lukic; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Muniz
Watford (3-5-2): Bond; Porteous, Pollock, Sierralta; Andrews, Kayembe, Sissoko, Louza, Ngakia; Bayo, Baah
Fulham Vs Watford Prediction
Even with Marco Silva likely to rotate his starting XI, Fulham should still have too much about them to avoid a minor upset against Watford.
The Hornets are on a three-game losing run and the Cottagers haven’t lost since November. We think it’ll be a closer than imagined but the west Londoners will be too strong.
Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Watford
