DONCASTER ROVERS v CRYSTAL PALACE
FA Cup
Sunday 17th February 2019
Kickoff: 1600hrs
Pick: Doncaster Rovers AH+1
Bookmaker: Bet Victor
Odds: 1.72 (odds taken at 08:38 GMT, 16 Feb 2019)
Sunday brings us further action from the FA Cup 5th round and next up is a clash between League One side Doncaster Rovers and Premier League club Crystal Palace as the betting tips continue at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Doncaster Rovers Prediction
Doncaster Rovers have reached the 5th round of the FA Cup thanks to wins over Chorley with a convincing 7-0 thrashing of the National League North club, which was followed up with victories over fellow League One side, Charlton Athletic, Championship side Preston North End and a home win over League Two side Oldham Athletic in the previous round.
This Sunday they’ll face Crystal Palace but the hosts won’t be over-awed at all as recent form has been impressive for Rovers who have lost just once in their last nine matches overall, which was a 3-2 loss away at Wycombe Wanderers in League One.
However, recent wins against Oldham Athletic, Peterborough United and Southend United along with draws against Burton Albion and high-flying Portsmouth will have given the hosts belief that they can pull off another upset here.
The hosts also possess their prolific top scorer Marquis who has plundered a total of 18 goals so far this season and he’s supported by Wilks (9 goals).
- Doncaster have lost just 1 of their last 9 matches in all competitions
- Crystal Palace will be without the suspended Zaha for this cup-tie
- Crystal Palace have won just 2 of their last 11 away matches
Crystal Palace Prediction
Crystal Palace also come into this 5th round FA Cup tie showing good form as The Eagles are now four matches without defeat having recorded a 2-0 home win over Tottenham as well as a 2-0 home win over Fulham in the Premier League.
Palace have also drawn with Southampton and West Ham in recent weeks in the top flight, while their path to the 5th round of the cup was by virtue of a 3rd round home win over League Two outfit Grimsby Town and the aforementioned win over Tottenham in the previous round.
The visitors will face a tough examination on Sunday afternoon though, not least because they’ll be without their talismanic forward Zaha who is suspended, along with not having won their last two away matches in the FA Cup as they drew with Bolton Wanderers 0-0 and lost at Brighton 2-1 in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Also, Crystal Palace have won just two of their last 11 away matches in all competitions, and although these wins were at Manchester City and Wolves, there’s still a question mark over the London club when travelling away from Selhurst Park.
Betting Tips Verdict
Doncaster Rovers are in good shape at the moment and have their goalscoring weapon in Marquis up front, while the absence of Zaha for Crystal Palace will be a big miss for the visitors. Use the handicap on the hosts here.
