FA Cup preview and odds: Reading vs Crystal Palace

Published on: 11/03/2016

FA Cup preview and odds: Reading vs Crystal Palace

March 11, 2016 19:55pm - Madejski Stadium

FA Cup - Quarter-final

The only non-Premier League side left in the FA Cup will take one of the top flight`s worst form teams as Reading host Crystal Palace at the Madjeski Stadium on Friday night.

Reading out to pile more misery on Palace

Reading have already claimed the scalp of one Premier League side in the FA Cup having toppled West Bromwich Albion in the previous round.

Since Brian McDermott returned to the helm, the Berkshire club have shown some improvement but they are still struggling in the Championship. A run of 10 games featuring two wins, five draws and three defeats has left the Royals in 14th place in the table - closer to the relegation places than the top six. They come into this game on the back of a 3-1 league defeat away to Huddersfield Town.

Palace looking to put league troubles to one side

Following their miserable run of form in the Premeir league, Crystal Palace will be looking for a positive result in the FA Cup to lift some of the gloom.

The Eagles have not won any of their last 12 Premier League matches and have now slipped from fifth to fifteenth in the table. In contrast, they have already beaten three Premier League teams in this competition and are now just one step away from what would be a welcome Wembley appearance.

They come into this game on the back of 2-1 league defeat at home to Liverpool.

Team news

Alan Pardew will have to make do without Marouane Chamakh, Connor Wickham, James McArthur and Kwesi Appiah, while Wayne Hennassey is still a doubt.

Recent form (all comps)

Reading: LDWWW

Crystal Palace: LDLWL

Betting odds and tips

Palace have already knocked out Spurs, Southampton and Stoke City in this competition. They should have enough quality to overcome the challenge of the Championship side.

You can back Palace to win at 5/4 with Bet365

Neil Morris

Published on: 11/03/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (11/03/2016 15:50:39) but are subject to change.