Doncaster Vs Crystal Palace

As the FA Cup fourth round nears its conclusion, Crystal Palace prepare to visit the Keepmoat Stadium on Monday, where League Two side Doncaster Rovers aim to pull off an unforgettable upset. The Eagles advanced from the previous round with a narrow victory over Stockport County, while Doncaster triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout against Hull City, setting the stage for an intriguing contest.

Under the stewardship of Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace have demonstrated a commitment to performing strongly in cup competitions. This was evident in their recent EFL Cup campaign, and Glasner's approach remained consistent in the FA Cup third round when he fielded a formidable lineup against Stockport County. However, despite the quality on display, Palace managed only a 1-0 victory, with Eberechi Eze striking early in the fourth minute to ensure progression. This victory prevented Palace from suffering a third consecutive third-round elimination, having been previously ousted by Everton and Southampton in successive seasons.

Palace’s record in the FA Cup over the past five years has been mixed. The only time they advanced beyond the third round during this period, they reached the semi-finals before being eliminated by Chelsea. This history offers the Eagles a glimmer of hope for another deep run in the tournament, even though they have never lifted the prestigious trophy.

Heading into this fixture, Crystal Palace boast an impressive track record against lower-league opponents, having emerged victorious in their last 11 such encounters in the FA Cup. Their last defeat to a team from the lower divisions came in 1978 when they were stunned by Hartlepool United. This statistic bodes well for Glasner’s side, who have kicked off the new year in fine form, underlined by their stunning 2-0 triumph over Manchester United last weekend.

Jean-Philippe Mateta stole the spotlight in that match with a clinical brace, overshadowing the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, whose transfer fees dwarf Mateta’s valuation. His performance exemplified Palace’s ruthless efficiency in attack, as they secured their third consecutive 2-0 away win. Their defensive resilience has also been noteworthy, having not conceded on the road since December 18.

On the other side of this matchup, Doncaster Rovers enter the contest with momentum, thanks to their remarkable FA Cup victory over Hull City. Guided by Grant McCann, who previously managed Hull between 2019 and 2022, Doncaster engineered one of the most unexpected results of the third round. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, a contest characterized by intense physicality, with seven Doncaster players receiving bookings.

During the ensuing penalty shootout, Doncaster exhibited incredible resilience, overcoming a 5-3 deficit in dramatic fashion. Key moments included Mason Burstow’s miss and goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe’s crucial save from Alfie Jones, while successful penalties from Luke Molyneux and Harry Clifton sealed a sensational triumph for McCann’s men.

The momentum from that victory spurred Doncaster to a four-game winning streak in League Two, consolidating their position in the top three. However, their surge came to an abrupt halt last Thursday when they suffered a 5-2 defeat at Chesterfield, marking their first loss on the road in 2025 across all competitions.

Despite this setback, Doncaster have shown strength at home, winning four of their last five fixtures at the Keepmoat Stadium. However, it is worth noting that their recent home victories have come against opposition of a lower caliber than Crystal Palace. The challenge awaiting them on Monday is of an entirely different magnitude, as they face a Premier League side with significant quality and depth.

The last time these two clubs met in the FA Cup was during the 2018-19 season, in the fifth round of the competition. On that occasion, Roy Hodgson’s Palace side secured a 2-0 victory at the Keepmoat Stadium, thanks to first-half goals from Max Meyer and Jeffrey Schlupp. Interestingly, Schlupp recently completed a loan move to Celtic, meaning he will not be part of Palace’s squad this time around.

As the match approaches, both teams will be eager to write their own chapter in this storied competition. Crystal Palace, with their superior squad and strong recent form, will be favored to progress. However, Doncaster’s resilience and ability to spring surprises, as demonstrated against Hull City, ensure that this will be anything but a straightforward encounter.

For Palace, the FA Cup represents a golden opportunity to make a deep run and possibly secure silverware, given their strong squad and positive momentum. Their attacking firepower, spearheaded by Mateta, Eze, and a disciplined defensive unit, makes them formidable opponents. If they maintain their current form, they stand a strong chance of continuing their impressive record against lower-league teams in the FA Cup.

Doncaster, meanwhile, will be buoyed by the prospect of playing at home, where they have been largely successful in recent weeks. McCann will undoubtedly rally his squad, emphasizing the significance of this fixture and urging them to embrace the underdog spirit. If they can frustrate Palace, defend resolutely, and capitalize on set-piece opportunities, they might just keep their FA Cup dream alive.

Ultimately, this fourth-round tie encapsulates the essence of the FA Cup—an occasion where underdogs dream of glory, and established sides aim to avoid embarrassment. Whether Doncaster can produce another giant-killing act or whether Palace’s quality will shine through remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: an enthralling contest awaits at the Keepmoat Stadium on Monday night.