Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Everton - FA Cup
Crystal Palace face fellow Premier League side Everton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon.
No club has ever been to more FA Cup finals without winning the famous trophy than Crystal Palace. However, their manager Patrick Vieira won the world's oldest cup competition four times during his own illustrious playing career with Arsenal.
Here's the XI Vieira may deploy to take the Eagles into the final four for the first time in six years.
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Jack Butland (GK) - Despite Vicente Guaita's heroics against Manchester City - which earned a characteristically fevered appraisal from Pep Guardiola - Vieira is likely to turn to his cup keeper for this fixture.
Joel Ward (RB) - The squad's longest-serving player returned to the bench on Monday night after missing most of February through injury.
Joachim Andersen (CB) - The summer arrival is the first Palace player to complete 100 open play passes into the final third this season (per FBref).
Marc Guehi (CB) - Palace's silky centre-back has started 32 of the club's 33 matches across all competitions this season.
Tyrick Mitchell (LB) - The blossoming fullback may have an eye on joining his clubmate Guehi in the England squad should his consistent performances persist.
2. Midfielders
Conor Gallagher appreciation post! ? pic.twitter.com/eflpkxXAGK
— 90min (@90min_Football) December 12, 2021
Jeffrey Schlupp (CM) - The Premier League title winner at Leicester City has appeared in every FA Cup tie for Palace this season.
Cheikhou Kouyate (CM) - Since his emergence at Anderlecht, Kouyate has been lumbered with comparisons to a certain Patrick Vieira. Now his former 'role model' and 'inspiration' regularly selects him at the heart of midfield.
Conor Gallagher (CM) - Hopefully, Gallagher has regained the feeling in his legs following an exhausting performance against Manchester City on Monday night.
3. Forwards
Michael Olise gave @CPFC another special performance at the weekend ?#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/dVfimjdx2e
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 8, 2022
Michael Olise (RW) - Four of the six goals Palace have scored in this season's FA Cup have either been created or netted by Olise.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (ST) - All four of Mateta's goals this season - including one in the third round - have come since Christmas.
Wilfried Zaha (LW) - Palace's top scorer this term (and last) hasn't scored in England's premier cup competition since 2016, the year Manchester United beat the Eagles in another unsuccessful final showpiece.