Crystal Palace vs Stockport

Stockport County, a League One side, are set to travel to Selhurst Park this weekend, where they will face Premier League outfit Crystal Palace in the third round of the FA Cup. As they prepare for this challenging encounter, the visiting team will look to defy the odds and create an upset in what is expected to be a tough match for them. For the hosts, Crystal Palace, this game represents an opportunity to progress to the next stage of a competition that has offered both frustration and excitement in recent years. 

Over the past five seasons, Crystal Palace has had mixed results in the FA Cup, with only one instance of reaching the fourth round. Nevertheless, despite this underwhelming recent record in the competition, Palace comes into this fixture as the clear favourites, as they play two divisions above Stockport County. Historically, Crystal Palace has enjoyed moments of success in the FA Cup, with their most significant achievements being reaching the final in 2016 and the semi-finals in 2022. These notable cup runs highlight their potential in the competition, even though their more recent form has been less impressive. 

Manager Oliver Glasner's team started this season on a difficult note, as their Premier League campaign got off to a poor start. They suffered five losses and recorded three draws in their opening eight matches. Despite this rocky beginning, Crystal Palace has found better form in recent weeks. Over their last 12 matches, they have lost only twice, signaling an improvement in their performances. In their most recent outing, Palace secured a 1-1 draw with Chelsea, which continues their positive momentum. However, despite this revival, they have only managed to win four league matches so far this season, and they currently find themselves just five points clear of the relegation zone in the Premier League.

One of the major issues that have contributed to Crystal Palace's struggles this season has been their lack of goals. With only 21 goals scored in the league, Palace has one of the lowest goal tallies in the Premier League, surpassing only three teams in terms of fewer goals. This lack of attacking firepower has been a key factor in their inability to secure more victories and move up the league table. With the FA Cup providing an opportunity to find their rhythm in front of goal, Palace will be hoping that a match against lower-league opposition such as Stockport County will help build their confidence and improve their attacking output.

On the other hand, Stockport County comes into this fixture full of ambition. The team, managed by Dave Challinor, has been in strong form, particularly after their League Two title triumph last season, which earned them promotion to League One. Stockport County is aiming for another consecutive promotion as they look to rise up the footballing pyramid. They have shown promise in the early stages of their League One campaign, climbing as high as third place in the league by the end of November. However, recent struggles have seen them slip just outside the playoff spots, with only two wins in their last eight league matches. 

One of the driving forces behind Stockport's push for promotion has been the prolific goal-scoring form of Louie Barry, who has continued to impress in League One. Barry remains the league's top scorer with 15 goals, a feat all the more impressive considering that he was recently recalled by his parent club, Aston Villa. The loss of Barry’s goal-scoring contributions presents a significant challenge for Stockport County, as they will have to find a way to replace his output in what will be a difficult match against Premier League opposition. Without their leading striker, Stockport’s hopes of pulling off an upset are further complicated, making this FA Cup tie even more daunting for them.

In terms of away form, Stockport County has had their struggles this season. While their record on the road is not the worst in League One, they have only managed to win three times away from home in the league. This poor away form has been a source of concern, and they will need to improve significantly if they are to stand any chance of advancing in the FA Cup. Their recent away performances have seen them lose three of their last four matches, meaning their last win on the road came in November. This poor run of away results leaves them with the task of breaking a winless streak away from home in order to progress further in the tournament.

Stockport's recent form has been a mixture of highs and lows, and their trip to Selhurst Park represents both a challenge and an opportunity. If they manage to win, it would mark their first progression to the fourth round of the FA Cup since 2001, the year they were knocked out in the fifth round by Tottenham Hotspur. This milestone would be a huge achievement for the club, as they would be able to celebrate advancing to the next stage of the competition for the first time in over two decades. 

Unlike their Premier League counterparts, Stockport County has had to play two additional rounds to reach this stage of the FA Cup. In the earlier rounds, they secured victories at home against Forest Green Rovers and Brackley Town, which earned them a place in the third round. These wins have given the team valuable momentum, and they will be hoping to carry that form into their away tie against Crystal Palace. While these victories have helped Stockport County progress in the competition, they are aware that the level of opposition will be far stronger in this round, and they will need to be at their best if they are to continue their FA Cup journey.

As the match approaches, both teams will be keen to make their mark in the FA Cup. Crystal Palace will look to build on their recent positive results, using this tie as a confidence booster to improve their league form, while Stockport County will be determined to prove that they are capable of taking on Premier League opposition and causing an upset. It is a match that promises to be full of excitement, with both sides eager to advance to the next stage of one of England’s most prestigious domestic cup competitions.

Ultimately, this FA Cup tie between Crystal Palace and Stockport County has all the makings of a thrilling contest. The Premier League side comes into the match as the favourites, but Stockport County will not be intimidated, knowing that they have the ability to cause problems for their more established opponents. With the potential for a cup upset, this encounter will be a fascinating spectacle that captures the magic of the FA Cup, where lower-league teams often find themselves going head-to-head with the giants of English football. Whether or not Stockport can pull off an unlikely victory, this match is sure to be an entertaining and memorable clash.