FA Cup: Fulham are Invulnerable Against Watford’s Sting

Fulham vs Watford

Fulham will open their 2024-25 FA Cup campaign with a game against Watford to be held at Craven Cottage on Thursday night, and the hosts are poised to win because they’re in decent recent form. Marco Silva’s men are undefeated in their last eight games, although six were draws, including back-to-back 2-2 results against Bournemouth and Ipswich Town.

Watford are not doing well this season, as they’re unlikely to return to the Premier League next season. Tom Cleverley’s side has fallen to ninth in the Championship table, and they’re on a three-game losing streak.

The pregame SBOTOP betting odds back the hosts to advance to the next round because they can exploit the visitors’ poor form. But in doing so, the Cottagers cannot afford to let up against the Hornets.

 

Talking Points

Jimenez could take the night off for Fulham

Raul Jimenez has been the Cottagers’ talisman, scoring three goals in his last two appearances. After scoring the first goal against Bournemouth, the Fulham striker notched a brace against Ipswich Town. With 55 English top-flight goals after salvaging a point against the Tractor Boys, Jimenez became the highest-scoring Mexican international in Premier League history, surpassing Chicharito (53 goals), who previously played for Manchester United and West Ham United.

The 33-year-old struggled to impress in his first full season at Craven Cottage, but he has turned things around this season, with eight goals in 20 league appearances to lead the team. Raul Jimenez is so valuable for Fulham, so don’t be surprised if head coach Marco Silva rests his star in a winnable game against Watford.

Rodrigo Muniz will likely take the starting berth if Silva rotates Jimenez. The young Brazilian international is the Cottagers’ fourth-leading scorer, with three league goals and one assist. Adama Traore and Alex Iwobi could join Muniz up front.

Marco Silva could also give Emile Smith Rowe a start in midfield after the former Arsenal man made two substitute appearances following an injury. Jorge Cuenca and Ryan Sessegnon are also pushing to start for Fulham against Watford. Sander Berge (ankle), Reiss Nelson (hamstring), Kenny Tete (knee), and Harrison Reed (knee) aren’t expected to play due to injuries.

 

Injury woes for Watford

Tom Cleverley faces a lineup dilemma ahead of Thursday, as he will be without the services of some of his key players. First-choice goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann is out for a few months due to an ankle injury, and Tom Dele-Bashiru (knee) and Angelo Ogbonna (hamstring) are also in the medical room.

Jeremy Ngakia and Imran Louza are pushing to start against Fulham. Ngakia scored his first senior goal for the Hornets last weekend against Sheffield United, while Louza played the full 90 minutes after recovering from an illness.

Vakoun Issouf Bayo is expected to return to the starting XI after coming off the bench against Sheffield United. The 27-year-old forward leads the Hornets in scoring with nine league goals, and he’ll have Giorgi Chakvetadze and Kwadwo Baah as his frontline partners.

 

History

Thursday marks the fourth FA Cup tie between Fulham and Watford, with each of the prior meetings in 1932, 1983, and 2005 needing a replay to determine the winner. The Hornets won the first two (1932 and 1983) before the Cottagers finally won one in 2005, and there are no replays this time.

Watford won 4-1 against Fulham in their last meeting in the Premier League last April 2019 at Vicarage Road. The Hornets are undefeated in their previous six competitive games against the Cottagers (W3, D3), scoring 14 goals in that period. Tom Cleverley’s men have progressed from just one of their last five FA Cup third-round ties after beating Chesterfield 2-1 last term.

Fulham have advanced from 13 of their last 16 FA Cup third-round ties, including each of their previous five.

 

Betting Tip

As mentioned, the FA Cup 2025 odds are partisan towards a Fulham victory on Thursday. The Cottagers are 1.26 favourites to win, while Watford are 7.10 underdogs, and a draw is at 4.79 in the 1X2 market. It’ll be considered a major upset if Marco Silva’s men somehow drop this game.

Fulham will likely produce enough FA Cup 2025 highlights to dispatch their visitors. So, other than our recommended bet above, bettors can also go for options like Over 2.75 at 1.70, Over 3.00 at 1.98, Total Goal 2-3 at 2.11, or even Total Goal 4-6 at 2.69.

Interestingly, a Correct Score of 4-1 in favour of Watford – the result of their most recent meeting – is priced at a whopping 225.00 your bet because it is unlikely to happen.

   

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