FA Cup | Third Round

Jan 12, 2025 at 3pm UK

Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace vs Stockport

Match preview

Palace have been doing well in the FA Cup, but they've also been getting knocked out early on in recent years. They made it to the semi-finals in 2022 and the runners-up in 2016, so they've got a bit of a track record.

This season started off poorly for Oliver Glasner's team, as they began their league campaign with five losses and three draws in their first eight matches.

But they've bounced back since then, losing only twice in their last 12 games. They're on a roll right now, drawing 1-1 with Chelsea last time out.

Even though they've improved, the hosts have only won four league games this season and are only five points ahead of the Premier League drop zone.

One big problem for them has been a lack of goals, with only three teams scoring fewer than Palace's 21 goals in the league this season.

With League One opposition visiting this weekend, the hosts will be looking to boost their confidence in front of goal against a team aiming for consecutive promotions, following their League Two title triumph last season.

Stockport climbed as high as third in the league by the end of November, but a recent run of two wins in their last eight league games has seen them slip just outside the playoff places.

Louie Barry's been a driving force behind County's promotion push, he's still top of the league with 15 goals, even though he's just been recalled by his parent club Aston Villa.

Replacing Barry's goals will be a tough challenge, and entering a cup tie without their best goal scorer makes it even harder to knock out Premier League opposition.

The Hatters have had a tough time winning away from home this season, and while their away record isn't the worst in League One, they've only won three times on their travels in the league.

To stand any chance of getting through to the next round, they'll need to get their first away win since November, with Dave Challinor's side losing three of their last four away matches.

If they win, it'll be their first time making it to the fourth round of the tournament since 2001, when they got knocked out in the fifth round by Tottenham Hotspur.

The visitors have had to play twice already to reach the third round, with wins at home to Forest Green Rovers and Brackley Town in the earlier rounds booking County's place in round three.

Recent Performance

Crystal Palace form:WLLDWD

Stockport County FA Cup form:WW

Stockport County form:LWLDDL

Team News

Midfielder Will Hughes is a bit of a doubt for this match because of an ankle injury he got in the win against Southampton at the end of December.

Fellow midfielder Adam Wharton has been out with a groin injury since the start of November and is also expected to miss this match.

And Matheus Franca is still out with a rib injury that's been keeping him sidelined for months.

And to make matters worse, Stockport have also lost their top scorer Barry, and two more players have been recalled by their parent clubs in the last few days.

Everton loanee Tyler Onyango has gone back to Goodison Park after a hamstring injury, while Michael Mellon was recalled by Burnley and then sent on loan to Bradford City after making only four appearances during his loan spell at Edgeley Park.

Possible starting lineup

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:

Turner; Richards, Guehi, Lacroix, Mitchell; Kamada, Lerma, Schlupp, Eze; Nketiah, Mateta

Stockport County possible starting lineup:

Hinchliffe; Mingi, Connolly, Pye, Southam-Hales; Norwood, Bailey, Touray, Collar; Diamond, Wootton