2024-25 FA Cup: Fourth Round – Doncaster vs Crystal Palace

Doncaster Rovers host Crystal Palace in a tricky fourth round tie in 2024-25 FA Cup. 

Victory would see Doncaster reach the fifth round for the first time since 2018-19 season, whilst Palace look to advance past this stage for the second time in four seasons – having lost in the third round in last two seasons.

 

Team News

Doncaster have no fresh injury concerns from their 5-2 League Two loss at Chesterfield.

Palace could hand loan signing, Ben Chilwell a debut appearance following his move from Chelsea until the end of this season.

Chris Richards (illness), Eddie Nketiah (ankle) and Matheus Franca (adductor) face late fitness checks.

Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad (both knee), Eberechi Eze (foot) and Joel Ward (calf) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Doncaster Rovers host Crystal Palace at Eco-Power Stadium on Monday 10 February at 7:45pm GMT, live on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Doncaster Rovers lost their only previous FA Cup encounter against Palace in February 2019 (L1).
• Palace won 2-0 in their only previous FA Cup visit to Doncaster, which came in the fifth round in February 2019.
• Two of Doncaster’s four goals in this season’s competition were scored by Billy Sharp, in which both came as a brace in a comeback second-round win at Kettering Town after extra-time.
• Palace have won each of their last four FA Cup ties against EFL opposition (W4).

 

Prediction

Although Doncaster’s priorities lie in the League Two promotion race, they need to be better defensively after a poor performance at Chesterfield – meaning that they’ve kept two clean sheets since December – but their attack is strong enough to cause issues if can bring their goalscoring momentum into this game.

Palace meanwhile were simply clinical in their top-flight win at Manchester United last weekend with great first-half game management, before delivering a excellent second-half display with two well-executed goals to extend their improved away form to nine games in all competitions.

Now if they don’t underestimate Doncaster and can target the hosts’ vulnerable defence, I can’t see Palace losing this if they continue to play as well as they’re lately on the road.

Prediction: Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Crystal Palace

Result: Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Crystal Palace