Crystal Palace will be looking to distract from their dismal league form with a big performance in the Carabao Cup when they travel to Craven Cottage for the second time this season to face a Fulham side who will be motivated off the back of two league wins over both Coventry and Hull City.

Palace have been somewhat less fortunate, but continue to balance the struggle and demands of European football alongside the standard domestic game, and in the one week so far in October with a midweek off, it’s the Carabao Cup that steps in. 

Palace have of course already played away at Fulham this season, on the third matchday of the Premier League season. Pierre Sage’s side came from behind twice to win 2-3, with goals from Tyrick Mitchell and Ben Chilwell winning three points for the side despite Fulham dominating for large parts. 

Now though, six weeks on, Palace are in a far weaker position. Pierre Sage’s job is on the line going into the next two games, whilst Álvaro Arbeloa has seemingly brushed aside all risk of the sack with the last two results for the Cottagers.

However, this is a fixture which favours Palace, and if the Eagles travel across London and reach the quarter finals of the cup, it could all but confirm the hoodoo that Palace have over the Whites. 

There are a couple of teams in the division that, no matter how poorly Palace are playing, they will find a way to win. Fulham have been one of those sides for some time now, and Palace will be aiming to maintain their current run of five games unbeaten in all competitions. 

The last time Fulham ran out victorious was a 0-2 Premier League win at Selhurst Park in the 2024/25 season. That was Fulham’s sole win in the last nine meetings. 

The most damning statistic for the Whites going into this game is that they have not beaten Palace at home since New Years Day in 2005, twenty-one years ago. 

In the nine meetings since, Palace have won six, with three ending level. Cup games away at the Cottage will only bring positive memories for Palace fans, who beat Marco Silva’s side 0-3 in the quarter finals of the FA Cup on their route to lifting the trophy. 

There is a frustration amongst the Fulham ranks from recent years that Silva never prioritised the domestic cups, but under the leadership of Arbeloa, that could change. 

The main priority for Palace needs to be putting in a respectable performance for the entire duration of the game, instead of just one half. 

In his pre-match press conference, Pierre Sage revealed that club captain Dean Henderson would be fit enough to start in this game, his first appearance in ten, after Walter Benítez deputised for him due to injury. 

Ismaïla Sarr continues to nurse his groin issue and Sage hinted that he’d be unlikely to feature after missing out at the weekend to receive treatment. JP Mateta is another player with persistent injury problems, and there’s no guarantee that he can play any longer than 60-70 minutes. 

Normally, that wouldn’t be an issue, but after Jørgen Strand Larsne was scythed down in Istanbul last week, the only backup would be Eddie Nketiah, who actually scored Palace’s third in the 0-3 FA Cup quarter final victory two years ago. 

Predicted Lineup:

D.Henderson; Ó.Mingueza, H.Ahanor, J.Lerma, A.Disasi, T.Mitchell; A.Wharton, D.Kamada; D.Osorio, JP.Mateta, Y.Pino