FA Cup 2024-2025: Fulham-Watford, the likely lineups.

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Fulham-Watford, the probable formations

On Thursday, Jan. 9, at 8:45 p.m., London’s Craven Cottage will host one of the most anticipated matches of the FA Cup 32nd final: Fulham-Watford. A match that promises spectacle between two teams with different ambitions but equally determined to continue their path in the competition.

Fulham comes to the challenge with a curious and worrying statistic: eight consecutive useful results, but with only two wins. The "pareggitis" that plagues Marco Silva’s team must be cured in order to avoid further waste of energy, especially ahead of the Premier League engagements. Indeed, in case of a tie, the traditional replay will no longer be played: it will go directly to extra time and, if necessary, penalties. For this match, Silva will giveà space to several second lines, such as Adama Traoré and Rodrigo Muniz, trying to manage resources as best as possible.

Watford, ninth in the Championship and out of the playoff zone, is going through a complicated period, with three consecutive defeats that have slowed its path to promotion. Coach Tom Cleverley hopes this challenge can be a turning point, relying on players such as Ogbonna and Ebosele to surprise a higher-ranked opponent.

Likely lineups

Fulham (4-3-2-1): Benda; Castagne, Cuenca, Bassey, Sessegnon; Cairney, Lukic, Smith Rowe; Adama Traoré, Andreas Pereira; Muniz.
Watford (3-4-1-2): Bachmann; Pollock, Ogbonna, Porteous; Ebosele, Kayembe, Louza, Larouci; Chakvetadze; Bayo, Vata.

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