Match Pack: Fulham

Match Info

Fixture: Fulham v Watford
Competition: Emirates FA Cup
Venue: Craven Cottage
Time: Thursday January 9, 7.45pm
Strip: Yellow home kit

Officials

Referee: Matthew Donohue
Assistant Referees: Paul Hodskinson & James Wilson
Fourth Official: Gavin Ward

Team News

Tom Cleverley hinted at a number of changes for the third-round clash at Craven Cottage, whilst also confirming Daniel Bachmann will be out for 10 to 12 weeks after opting for surgery on his ankle ligament issue.

Full Watford team news can be found HERE.

For Fulham, the game may come too soon for Harrison Reed, whilst Kenny Tete, Sander Berge and Reiss Nelson remain in the treatment room.

What Are They Saying?

“I think it is a good game for us. We need to start showing defensive resilience, and there will be no better test than on Thursday.”

Tom Cleverley, Watford Head Coach

“He [Cleverley] was a top player and very important for us during that period and I am really pleased to see him doing well in his managerial career.”

Marco Silva, Fulham Head Coach

Golden Flashback

An excellent individual goal from John Barnes and Jan Lohman's early strike cancelled out future Watford manager Ray Lewington's effort as the Hornets earned a 2-1 fourth-round replay victory at Craven Cottage in February 1983.

Stat Attack

1 - This is the first time that Watford have been drawn away to Fulham in the FA Cup - their three previous visits to Craven Cottage in the competition came in the form of replays.

3 - The Hornets are unbeaten on their last three visits to Craven Cottage.

4 - Last year's win over Chesterfield ended a run of four successive exits at the third-round stage for Watford.

5 - The Golden Boys were dominant in their last victory at Fulham, with a hat-trick from Troy Deeney and a brace from Almen Abdi resulting in a 5-0 win. 

6 - The Hornets are unbeaten in their last six matches against the Cottagers.

10 - This will be the tenth meeting between the two teams in the 21st century. 

13 - Fulham have progressed from 13 of their last 16 FA Cup third-round ties, including each of the last five in a row. 

26 - The number of matches Marco Silva took charge of Watford in his stint as Head Coach from May 2017 to January 2018.

2005 - Watford and Fulham haven't met in the FA Cup since 2005, when a 1-1 draw in the third round at Vicarage Road was followed by a 2-0 home win for Fulham in the replay.

2019 - Fulham haven't failed to make it past the third round since a 2-1 defeat at home to then League Two side Oldham Athletic in January 2019. 

Player In Focus - Antonee Robinson

Age: 27

Total appearances for Fulham: 171

Total appearances for USA: 50

2024/25 Premier League

Matches played: 20

Assists: 7

Tackles: 53

Interceptions: 37

Ground duels won: 106

Clearances: 60

Crosses: 88

Live Blog

Not heading to Craven Cottage?

You can follow all the build-up, action and immediate post-match reaction with our live blog, which will be available on the Watford FC website and app from 6.15pm.

Get Your Gear!

Get up to 40 per cent off at The Hornets Shop in our Winter Sale, while stocks last.

Or you can click on the links to order the 2024/25 home, away, third or goalkeeper shirt, complete with the name and number of your favourite player.

Get Your Pass!

Find out HERE how you can follow the clash on the club’s new iFollow service.