Crystal Palace vs Millwall: FA Cup South London Derby Showdown

Crystal Palace vs Millwall: FA Cup South London Derby Showdown

The FA Cup fifth round brings an intense South London derby as Crystal Palace face off against Millwall at Selhurst Park. The match kicks off at 12:15 PM GMT, with both teams aiming for a place in the quarter-finals.

Crystal Palace, currently in the Premier League, are looking to capitalize on their strong form, while Championship side Millwall hope to cause an upset against their local rivals.

Team News and Lineups

Crystal Palace

  • Marc Guéhi returns to strengthen the defense.
  • Jean-Philippe Mateta, with eight goals in his last eight games, leads the attack.
  • Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise are expected to play key roles in midfield.

Millwall

  • Zian Flemming and Tom Bradshaw will be key attacking threats.
  • Jake Cooper anchors the defense as Millwall looks to frustrate Palace’s attack.
  • Head coach Joe Edwards is expected to deploy a compact, counter-attacking setup.

Recent Form and Head-to-Head

Crystal Palace

  • 4 wins in their last 5 matches, including a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa.
  • Strong home record, with three consecutive wins at Selhurst Park.

Millwall

  • Only one defeat in their last nine games in the Championship.
  • A solid defensive setup has kept them competitive against higher-tier opponents.

Previous Meetings

  • Palace and Millwall have a fierce rivalry, with their last FA Cup meeting in 2022 ending in a 2-1 win for Crystal Palace.
  • Historic encounters include a famous 4-3 thriller in 1989, featuring football legends Ian Wright, Mark Bright, Teddy Sheringham, and Tony Cascarino.

Prediction and What to Expect

This derby promises to be high-intensity and fiercely contested. Crystal Palace’s Premier League experience gives them the edge, but Millwall’s physical style and defensive resilience could pose a challenge.

Prediction:

Crystal Palace 2-0 Millwall – Mateta and Olise to make the difference.

How to Watch

As the South London rivals battle for FA Cup glory, fans can expect an electric atmosphere at Selhurst Park, with both teams desperate to advance to the quarter-finals.