Crystal Palace vs Millwall 01/03/2025 Team news, Line up and Prediction
Crystal Palace is set to face Millwall in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 12:15 PM GMT. The match will take place at Selhurst Park in southeast London. Fans in the UK can watch the game live on BBC One or stream it via the BBC iPlayer.
This encounter marks a renewal of the South London rivalry, with the two teams meeting for only the second time in the past decade. Their last meeting was in January 2022, also in the FA Cup, where Crystal Palace secured a 2-1 victory at The Den.
Historically, Millwall holds a slight edge in head-to-head matchups, with 38 wins to Crystal Palace’s 30, and 30 matches ending in draws.
In terms of recent form, Crystal Palace has been impressive, winning four of their last five matches across all competitions, including a commanding 4-1 victory over Aston Villa in their most recent Premier League outing. Millwall, competing in the Championship, has also shown resilience, remaining unbeaten in their last three games and securing a 1-0 win against Derby County in their latest match.
Team news indicates that Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is expected to field a strong lineup, with goalkeeper Matt Turner likely to start. Midfielder Will Hughes is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. For Millwall, Aaron Connolly, Tristan Crama, and Benicio Baker-Boaitey are cup-tied and unavailable for selection.
Given Crystal Palace’s current form and home advantage, they are favored to progress to the quarter-finals. However, Millwall’s determination in this local derby could make for a closely contested match.
Match Preview
Crystal Palace, under new manager Oliver Glasner, has been in strong form, especially at home. Their attacking lineup, featuring players like Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta, has been delivering solid performances. With four wins in their last five matches, Palace will be confident going into this fixture.
Millwall, on the other hand, comes into this match as the underdogs but will be determined to cause an upset. Despite playing in the Championship, they have shown resilience in recent games and will look to make things difficult for their Premier League opponents.
Key Players to Watch
- Crystal Palace: Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, and Marc Guéhi will be crucial in maintaining control of the game.
- Millwall: Zian Flemming and Tom Bradshaw will need to step up if Millwall hopes to break through Palace’s defense.
Prediction
Crystal Palace’s quality and home advantage make them the favorites. However, in a local rivalry like this, Millwall could put up a strong fight. A 2-0 or 2-1 victory for Palace seems likely.
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Tactical Analysis
Crystal Palace is expected to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game. Under Oliver Glasner, Palace has focused on high pressing and quick transitions, using the creativity of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise to break down defenses. Their full-backs, Tyrick Mitchell and Daniel Muñoz, will likely push forward to provide width, while Jefferson Lerma and Cheick Doucouré will anchor the midfield.
Millwall, known for their physical and aggressive playing style, will likely set up defensively, looking to frustrate Palace and hit them on the counterattack. Their manager, Joe Edwards, may opt for a 5-3-2 formation to ensure defensive solidity while using long balls to exploit Palace’s high defensive line. Striker Tom Bradshaw’s ability to hold up play and bring others into attack could be crucial.
Recent Form
Crystal Palace (Last 5 Matches):
✅ Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa
✅ Crystal Palace 2-0 Luton Town
❌ Brighton 4-1 Crystal Palace
✅ Crystal Palace 3-1 Sheffield United
✅ Wolves 1-3 Crystal Palace
Millwall (Last 5 Matches):
✅ Millwall 1-0 Derby County
Millwall 2-2 Swansea City
✅ QPR 1-2 Millwall
❌ Millwall 0-2 Southampton
Millwall 1-1 Middlesbrough
Crystal Palace has been in excellent form, winning four of their last five matches, while Millwall has had a more inconsistent run, with two wins, two draws, and one loss.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches: 98
- Crystal Palace Wins: 30
- Millwall Wins: 38
- Draws: 30
Millwall holds a slight historical edge over Palace, but their last FA Cup meeting in 2022 ended in a 2-1 victory for Crystal Palace at The Den.
Matchday Atmosphere & Fan Expectations
The rivalry between Crystal Palace and Millwall has always been intense, and this FA Cup clash is expected to bring a fiery atmosphere at Selhurst Park. Both sets of fans are known for their passionate support, with Palace’s Holmesdale Fanatics bringing their usual noise and energy, while Millwall’s traveling supporters will aim to make their presence felt.
Security will be tight, as past meetings between the two clubs have seen heightened tensions both on and off the pitch. The South London rivalry runs deep, and for Millwall, this match is more than just an FA Cup tie—it’s a chance to claim bragging rights over their more established Premier League neighbors.
Possible Starting Lineups
Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1):
GK: Sam Johnstone
️ DEF: Daniel Muñoz, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guéhi, Tyrick Mitchell
⚡ MID: Jefferson Lerma, Cheick Doucouré
ATT: Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Ayew
ST: Jean-Philippe Mateta
Millwall (5-3-2):
GK: Matija Šarkić
️ DEF: Danny McNamara, Jake Cooper, Wes Harding, Ryan Leonard, Murray Wallace
⚡ MID: George Saville, Billy Mitchell, Zian Flemming
ST: Tom Bradshaw, Kevin Nisbet
Key Battles to Watch
. Eberechi Eze vs. Millwall’s Midfield: If Eze is given space, he can dictate the game with his dribbling and creativity. Millwall must stay compact to limit his influence.
. Jean-Philippe Mateta vs. Jake Cooper: Mateta’s physicality will be tested against Millwall’s towering defender. Winning aerial duels will be crucial for Palace’s attacking play.
. Zian Flemming vs. Marc Guéhi: Millwall’s main creative spark, Flemming, will try to find gaps in Palace’s defense. Guéhi must remain alert to prevent any dangerous counterattacks.
What’s at Stake?
A place in the FA Cup quarter-finals is on the line, and for Palace, this competition represents a real chance to push for silverware. They last reached the FA Cup final in 2016, where they lost to Manchester United. A deep run this season would excite their fans.
For Millwall, knocking out a Premier League team would be a massive achievement and could serve as a morale boost for their Championship campaign. They last reached the FA Cup final in 2004, losing to Manchester United.
Match Build-Up & Final Preparations
As the teams complete their final training sessions, both managers will be refining their tactics and making last-minute decisions regarding their starting XIs. Oliver Glasner will be urging his Crystal Palace squad to take control of the game early, while Joe Edwards will have drilled his Millwall players to stay disciplined and exploit any counterattacking opportunities.
Final Thoughts
As Crystal Palace is set to face Millwall , The South London derby has all the ingredients for an exciting FA Cup clash. Palace’s quality should prevail, but Millwall’s fighting spirit cannot be underestimated. Expect a physical, intense battle, with plenty of drama along the way.
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