The FA Cup third round kicks off with an exciting London derby as Fulham host Watford at Craven Cottage. For Fulham, this match is an opportunity to continue their good form and build on their impressive start to the Premier League season, while for Watford, it is a chance to redeem themselves after a run of poor results in the Championship. Both teams will be eyeing a strong cup run, but the task at hand is far from simple, especially for the visitors, who have been struggling with form of late.
Fulham, led by Marco Silva, are sitting comfortably in the top half of the Premier League table. They have shown their mettle against some of the league’s biggest clubs, holding their own against teams like Liverpool and Arsenal. However, their recent form has been a bit mixed, and they’ll be looking to ensure they progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup after a frustrating draw with Ipswich Town in their last outing.
Meanwhile, Watford, having initially made a strong start to the season in the Championship, have hit a rough patch. Currently languishing in ninth place, the Hornets have suffered four defeats in their last five matches. With the pressure mounting on manager Slaven Bilić, Watford will be hoping that a good FA Cup run can provide some much-needed respite from their league troubles.
In this preview, we’ll break down everything you need to know ahead of Fulham’s FA Cup third-round clash with Watford, including the form of both teams, key players to watch, potential lineups, and a prediction for the match.
Fulham’s Strong Premier League Form and FA Cup Ambitions
Fulham’s Season So Far
Fulham’s 2024/25 season has been an impressive one in the Premier League. Marco Silva has instilled a solid, disciplined approach that has helped the Cottagers establish themselves as a tough team to beat. Currently sitting in the top half of the table, Fulham have taken points off some of the league’s best teams. Wins over Chelsea and draws against Liverpool and Arsenal have shown that they are no pushovers.
The club will undoubtedly be hoping to build on this momentum in the FA Cup. Fulham have been traditionally inconsistent in this competition in recent years, often getting eliminated in the earlier rounds. Their most recent third-round exit came in 2019, when they were knocked out by Oldham Athletic. This season, however, there’s a renewed sense of ambition at Craven Cottage. With their Premier League status seemingly secure for now, Fulham will be hoping to make a deep run in the FA Cup.
Recent Form and Key Players
In their most recent match, Fulham were held to a 2-2 draw by Ipswich Town on January 5. It was a frustrating result, particularly after they had secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Chelsea just a few days prior. A key takeaway from Fulham’s season so far is their ability to perform against top opposition, which will give them confidence ahead of the FA Cup tie.
One player who has been in excellent form this season is midfielder Andreas Pereira, who has been at the heart of Fulham’s creativity. Meanwhile, striker Raul Jiménez, who rescued a point for the Cottagers against Ipswich with a well-taken goal, is a key figure in attack. Silva may decide to rotate his squad for this FA Cup tie, but players like Jiménez, Pereira, and Aleksandar Mitrovic (if fit) will still be crucial.
In terms of injuries, Fulham will be without Reiss Nelson, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Kenny Tete, who is out with a knee issue. New signing Sander Berge is also a doubt after suffering an ankle injury, but there’s a possibility he could feature. Harrison Reed remains unavailable.
Fulham Predicted Lineup vs Watford
With rotation likely, Marco Silva may opt for a slightly different setup from his usual starting XI. Here’s how Fulham might line up for the game:
Fulham Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Leno
- Defenders: Castagne, Diop, Cuenca, Sessegnon
- Midfielders: Pereira, Lukic
- Attacking Midfielders: Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi
- Forward: Muniz
Watford’s Struggles in the Championship
A Season of Decline for Watford
Watford started the 2024/25 Championship season with a lot of promise, but their form has deteriorated as the season has progressed. After a string of early successes, the Hornets have slipped to ninth place in the league, and they are now facing a battle to remain in the playoff spots. Their recent form has been woeful, with four defeats in their last five matches, including a 1-2 loss to Sheffield United on January 4 and a 1-2 defeat to Cardiff City on December 29.
Watford’s struggles in the league have left fans and pundits questioning the team’s consistency. Despite boasting a squad with considerable Championship experience, they have been unable to deliver consistently. Their poor form is a stark contrast to Fulham’s achievements in the Premier League, and they will have to raise their game significantly if they are to stand a chance in the FA Cup.
Key Players and Injuries
Watford will be without their starting goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann for the foreseeable future due to an ankle ligament injury, with Jonathan Bond stepping in as his replacement. In defence, experienced players like Moussa Sissoko, Ryan Porteous, and Tom Ince are expected to feature, adding some stability to the team.
One of Watford’s key attacking players is striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo, who has been a regular threat in front of goal. However, Watford’s form in attack has been inconsistent, and they will need Bayo to be clinical if they are to have any hope of progressing in the competition.
In terms of injuries, Watford are also without Kevin Keben, and Tom Dele-Bashiru remains a doubt for this match. However, their depth in certain areas means that manager Slaven Bilić will have enough options to shuffle his squad.
Watford Predicted Lineup vs Fulham
Given their poor form, Watford are unlikely to make too many changes for this FA Cup tie, though there may be a few adjustments to bring in some fresh legs and experience. Here’s how Watford might line up for the match:
Watford Predicted Lineup (3-5-2):
- Goalkeeper: Bond
- Defenders: Porteous, Pollock, Sierralta
- Midfielders: Andrews, Kayembe, Sissoko, Louza, Ngakia
- Forwards: Bayo, Baah
Head-to-Head Record
Fulham and Watford have faced each other several times in recent years, with Fulham having the upper hand in their most recent encounters. The last time the two teams met was in the Premier League on April 2, 2019, when Watford triumphed 4-1 at Vicarage Road. However, Fulham have won three of the last five meetings between the two sides, with two draws thrown in.
In terms of their FA Cup history, Fulham have generally been the stronger team, and they will be expected to continue that trend in this match.
Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Watford
While Watford’s form has been dire recently, the FA Cup provides them with an opportunity to reset and focus on a competition where the pressure is slightly different. Watford’s experienced players, such as Sissoko and Ince, should be able to provide some stability against a Fulham side that is likely to rotate its squad. However, the Cottagers’ superior quality, depth, and Premier League experience should see them through, albeit in a closely contested match.
This match is likely to be a back-and-forth affair, with Watford showing some resilience, but ultimately, Fulham’s greater strength and home advantage will prove decisive. The Cottagers should edge the match 2-1 and move on to the next round of the FA Cup.
How to Watch Fulham vs Watford
For fans wanting to catch this exciting FA Cup third-round clash, here are the broadcast details:
- United Kingdom: BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra (not televised)
- United States: ESPN+, ESPN App
- Canada: Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Now Plus
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT) on Thursday, January 9, at Craven Cottage, London.
This FA Cup tie is shaping up to be an intriguing contest. Fulham’s strong Premier League form and home advantage make them the favourites, but Watford’s need for redemption could lead to a competitive battle. With Fulham likely to rotate their squad, Watford might have a slight chance to exploit some potential vulnerabilities, but ultimately, Fulham should come out on top and secure their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
