2024-25 FA Cup: Third Round – Fulham vs Watford

Fulham look to avoid a giant killing against Watford in the Third Round of 2024-25 FA Cup. 

Victory will see Fulham avoid an early exit at this stage for a sixth consecutive season, whilst Watford look to reach the Fourth Round for the second straight season.

 

Team News

Harrison Reed could return for Fulham following his recovery from a knee injury.

Sander Berge (ankle), Kenny Tete (shin) and Reiss Nelson (hamstring) remain absent.

Watford will be without goalkeeper, Daniel Bachmann after he suffered an ankle injury during their 2-1 home loss to Sheffield United in the Championship.

Tom Dele-Bashiru and Kevin Keben (both knee) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Fulham meet Watford at Craven Cottage on Thursday 9 January at 7:45pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Fulham have won one of three previous FA Cup ties against Fulham (W1, L2), of which all three ties went to replays at Craven Cottage after 1-1 draws at Watford’s Vicarage Road.
• Watford have won two of three previous FA Cup visits to Fulham (W2, L1), albeit in replays so this is their first proper tie drawn away to Fulham in the main draw.
• Fulham have scored just three goals to Watford’s five at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup.
• Marco Silva’s Cottagers have won four of their last five ties against lower-league opposition (W4, L1), although they needed a replay at Sunderland in the Fourth Round in 2022-23 FA Cup.
• Watford have lost each of their last three FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition (L3).

 

Prediction

Despite large periods of dominance in their 2-2 draw against Ipswich in the Premier League, Fulham were pretty wasteful in open play which offers a chance for those coming into the starting line-up through squad rotation to show that they can deliver a more clinical performance.

Watford meanwhile will surely have one eye on their Championship play-offs charge and given their awful away form this season, this game feels like a free hit but they should come into this game with confidence after a narrow loss to Sheffield Utd in a very closely matched contest.

I however just can’t see Fulham losing this at home if they turn up and produce the clinical composure but Watford will certainly give them a game.

Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Watford

Result: Fulham 4-1 Watford