Fulham v Watford: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Fulham will put their European aspirations on hold and Watford will do likewise with their promotion ambitions in a Premier League versus Championship clash in round three of the FA Cup on Thursday evening.

Fulham v Watford betting tips and predictions

Fulham win & Both teams to score - 2/1

In-form Fulham and out-of-form Watford clash in Thursday night's opening salvo from this year's third round card and history suggests it could be close.

Three times these clubs have met in the world's oldest club knockout competition and all three ties went to replays.

There are no replays, of course, in the 2024/25 FA Cup, but Watford can give a good account of themselves at Craven Cottage and run Marco Silva's men close.

However, if this year's EFL Cup is your yardstick - all eight quarter-finalists were Premier League clubs - allied to the struggles of the Championship's promoted sides over the last season-and-a-half, then the gap between the top two divisions is arguably becoming a chasm.

And if that's the case, and even allowing for the selection tweaks which Silva is sure to make, then the hosts probably look the bet to win a thriller.

Odds of 3/10 the London side are self-explanatory but given that Fulham probably won't be at full-strength, Fulham to win and both teams to score at 2/1 might represent a more attractive way in.

Certainly, Fulham are hard to oppose no matter what team Silva fields ahead of a big Premier League double header next week away at West Ham United and Leicester City.

Ninth in the Premier League and unbeaten in eight matches, they are on track to better their 10th-place finish of two seasons back and with the threat of relegation off the agenda, there is an opportunity for Silva to think about a cup run.

Twelve months ago at home to Rotherham at this stage, the Spaniard sent out a strong side and was rewarded with a 1-0 triumph. If he drafts in the likes of Ryan Sessegnon, Sander Berge, Rodrigo Muniz and Emile Smith Rowe, he will still have the nucleus of a strong side.

Since their shock 4-1 home loss to Wolves in November, Fulham have had some fabulous results, beating Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea s well as drawing six including against Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Watford have won just one of their last nine FA Cup ties and bowed out last season with a 3-0 drubbing at Southampton.

They, too, have league distractions, notably trying to get back on the promotion track following three straight defeats against Cardiff, QPR and Sheffield United.

Boss Tom Cleverley will also tweak his team going into next week's road trips to Cardiff City and Derby County, and he admits his side are going through a sticky period just now.

First-choice keeper Daniel Bachmann is definitely out, which is a blow, but both teams have scored in each of the Hornets' last eight so they can make their mark, possibly in a losing cause.

Rodrigo Muniz anytime scorer - 6/4

Marco Silva will make his share of changes against Watford, though his time at Craven Cottage suggests he will still send out a strong side.

This season, the Fulham chief looks blessed with cover in pretty much all areas, including in attack where Raul Jimenez has deposed Rodrigo Muniz.

Brazilian Muniz, a nine-goal hero for Fulham in the league last term, has made just five starts in the Premier League this season but has weighed in with three goals.

After a busy holiday schedule in which Jimenez has started all three games since Boxing Day, Muniz should get the nod.

And given his record, against a tier-two defence which hasn't kept a clean sheet in seven and hasn't kept a clean sheet away since April, he can find the net.

Over 3.5 Cards - 5/6

Fulham have picked up 49 cards in 20 Premier League games this season (2.5 per game) and Watford have been awarded 58 cards in 25 Championship matches (2.3 per game).

Based on those bare stats alone, there looks to be a case for presuming there will be at least four cards flashed at the Cottage on Thursday.

Matt Donohue is the referee in charge, a man who has shown 57 yellows and four reds in 15 league and cup fixtures this season, averaging a shade over four per match.

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Fulham v Watford odds

Fulham - 3/10
Draw - 9/2
Watford - 8/1

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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.