The FA Cup fifth round has presented some interesting matches, including the south London derby between Crystal Palace and Millwall at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Crystal Palace are coming into this game with high confidence after their 4-1 victory against Aston Villa. However, as it is a derby match, Championship team Millwall, who have also been in good form, will be very motivated and could make the game exciting.
Team news
Joel Ward, Chadi Riad, and Cheick Doucoure are still unavailable for Crystal Palace.
Manager Oliver Glasner has made few changes in cup matches this season and is expected to field a strong lineup. Romain Esse, who joined from Millwall in January, will be eager to face his former team.
Calum Scanlon, Dan McNamara, Ryan Leonard, and Macauley Langstaff are sidelined for Millwall, and there is a doubt over Raees Bangura-Williams, who missed their last game against Derby.
The stats
Crystal Palace have won six of their last eight matches.
In eight of the last nine home games for Crystal Palace, both teams have scored.
Under manager Alex Neil, Millwall have lost only three of their 13 matches.
When these teams last faced off in 2022, Crystal Palace emerged as 2-1 winners.
Prediction
Crystal Palace are considered strong favorites for this last-16 tie due to their recent good form.
Having won six of their last eight games, Crystal Palace will be confident of progressing to the quarter-finals, especially since they have faced lower-league opponents in the previous rounds.
Despite Crystal Palace's excellent performance in the previous round, the unpredictability of the FA Cup could give Millwall hope for an upset, as seen in Liverpool's loss to Plymouth in the last round.
Since the appointment of Alex Neil, Millwall have been in good shape, winning six and losing only three of their 13 matches. They will surely give a tough fight, especially in a derby match.
Crystal Palace have been stronger away from home recently, and they have struggled to keep clean sheets at Selhurst Park, with both teams scoring in eight of their last nine home games. Expect Millwall, who have dangerous attackers, to find the back of the net alongside Crystal Palace in this encounter.