The pressure has eased somewhat on new Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa following consecutive 1-0 wins over Hull City and Coventry City and the Cottagers will be confident they can reach the EFL quarter-finals at Crystal Palace's expense.
The Eagles, now under Pierre Sage following Oliver Glasner’s departure to Nottingham Forest, won 3-2 at Craven Cottage in the league earlier this season, but they have conceded 14 goals in their six away matches this term and have lost three of their last four matches.
Fulham v Crystal Palace Tips Summary
Best Bet - Fulham to win @ 3/4
Alternative Bet - Cesar Palacios to score @ 12/5
Bet Builder - Gonzalo Garcia to have a shot on target, Yeremy Pino to be booked and Fulham to earn most corners @ 7/1
Fulham v Crystal Palace Prediction
Best Bet: Fulham to win @ 3/4
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has steadied the ship after an uncomfortable start to life at Craven Cottage, and his team look worthy favourites for their EFL Cup fourth round tie against Crystal Palace.
Successive 1-0 wins over Hull and Coventry have boosted confidence and it looks as if they are playing the Eagles at just the right time.
Their new boss Pierre Sage is having a more difficult time and, while they have already won on the banks of the River Thames in the league, a 5-0 defeat at Brighton less than two weeks ago is still fresh in the memory and they were also disappointing when they lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle United on Sunday.
Alternative Bet: Cesar Palacios to score @ 12/5
Arbeloa may elect to shuffle the pack despite the feel-good factor that has been generated by Fulham’s two recent wins and attacking midfielder Cesar Palacios could be one player who benefits.
He has not had a great deal of opportunities since he made the move from Real Madrid in the summer and was used only as a late substitute against Hull and Coventry.
However, he should take confidence from the fact he scored when the Cottagers lost 3-2 to Palace and was also on target when they won 3-2 at West Ham in the last round of this competition.
The 21-year-old should be fired up to perform and there is a good chance he can find the net for the third time this season.
Fulham v Crystal Palace Bet Builder Tip
Gonzalo Garcia to have a shot on target
Yeremy Pino to be booked
Fulham to earn most corners
Pays 7/1
Fulham striker Gonzalo Garcia made a bright start to life at Craven Cottage, scoring in his first two appearances, but the goals have dried up since.
However, he has kept plugging away and is not shy at having a pop at goal, so this could be an opportunity to shine and he is capable of having a shot on target having posted 26 attempts in his ten appearances this term.
Palace’s Yeremy Pino has been a big friend to bookings backers over the last few weeks and there is scope for him to be involved in the thick of the action again.
The Spanish midfielder has been cautioned in four of his last five appearances with two of his yellow cards coming in Europa League away games against Lyon and Besiktas.
Meanwhile, there is a strong chance that Fulham will win the corner count.
Tottenham are the only team to have earned more flag-kicks in their opening eight Premier League games of the season, while Palace have earned a total of just ten in their four league away matches this term.
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Key Match Stats
Crystal Palace have failed to win any of their last four away matches
Fulham have scored the first goal in their last five games
Palace have lost three of their last four outings
Fulham’s last two games have been 1-0 wins
The Eagles have conceded 12 goals in their last four games
Fulham have scored once in their last four matches
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
