Summary

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  • First of three FA Cup quarter-final matches on Saturday

  • Batshuayi levels for Palace after Capoue opener for Watford

  • Substitute Gray wins game for Hornets with close-range volley

  1. Postpublished at 6 mins

    Watford 0-0 Crystal Place

    Vicente Guaita misjudges the wind and sends a goal kick out of play most of the way downfield.

    Watford then win another throw, and Troy Deeney screams at a ball boy to get the ball back to him ASAP. He does as he's told pronto...

  2. Postpublished at 5 mins

    Watford 0-0 Crystal Palace

    First real chance of the day as Luka Milivojevic sends a low shot skimming over the turf, forcing Heurelho Gomes to drop to his right to parry it away from goal.

  3. 'It's a 50-50 match'published at 12:21 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford 0-0 Crystal Palace

    Efan Ekoku
    Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 live

    It a huge game, massive occasion and a big opportunity to get to a semi-final.

    I'd say it is difficult to choose between these two side, I think they're very interchangeable.

    It is one of those 50-50 matches but I have a feeling Crystal Palace will progress.

  4. Postpublished at 2 mins

    Watford 0-0 Crystal Palace

    This time it is Roberto Pereya who tries to dazzle James Tomkins on the left flank by the Palace box, but the Eagles defender sticks a foot in to end that attack.

    Palace then break downfield and Andros Townsend swings over a teasing cross that eludes everybody.

  5. Postpublished at 1 min

    Watford 0-0 Crystal Palace

    Gerard Deulofeu tries some fancy footwork on the edge of the Palace box early on, but a they-shall-not-pass tackle from Luka Milivojevic stops him.

  6. KICK-OFFpublished at 12:17 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford 0-0 Crystal Palace

    We are under way, and it's always nice to see Palace in their white kit with red and blue diagonal.

  7. Postpublished at 12:16 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    Alex Scott
    Ex-Arsenal Ladies & England international on Football Focus

    I am leaning towards Watford because the front two have been excellent, Troy Deeney is in a rich run of form and holding the ball up and with Gerard Deulofeu, it will be hard for Palace against them.

  8. All set...published at 12:14 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    The teams are out, we're all set - and the last song on the PA before they emerged from the tunnel? "Don't you want me?" by the Human League. Always nice to hear that one...

  9. 'Hodgson would love a taste of an FA Cup semi-final'published at 12:11 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    Steve Bower
    Match of the Day commentator

    This is a repeat of the semi-final from three years ago, and both clubs will feel they have a real opportunity of another Wembley appearance.

    This moment doesn't come along too often either. Palace are in the last eight for only the second time in 24 years, while it's only Watford's fourth quarter-final in 31 years.

    Certainly, Javi Gracia's team selection last weekend , externalat the Etihad gave an indication of how much it means to them and the home side's more comfortable league position allows them a full strike at cup glory.

    However, I watched Palace produce a professional display in the previous round at Doncaster, and Roy Hodgson would dearly love a first managerial taste of an FA Cup semi-final in the latter stages of his career.

  10. Counting downpublished at 12:07 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    It is very, very blustery at Vicarage Road - is this inclement weather going to play a part?

    Only a few minutes until we find out!

  11. Head-to-headpublished at 12:05 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    • They have played each other seven times in the FA Cup, most recently a semi-final in 2016 which Crystal Palace won 2-1.
    • Watford have never lost at home to the Eagles in the FA Cup, winning three times and drawing once.
    • Palace have lost both league meetings this season - it's 83 years since they last suffered three defeats in a row in all competitions against the Hornets.
    Watford v PalaceImage source, Reuters
  12. 'I'm going for Watford'published at 11:59 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    It is going to be close but I am going to go with Watford. They are the type of team where, when they really need a win, they seem to be able to get one.

    Prediction: 2-1

    Lawro's full predictions v Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard

    .Image source, .
  13. 'Zaha has a hamstring problem'published at 11:54 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    Roy Hodgson speaking to BT Sport: Wilf Zaha came off with a tight hamstring against Brighton and we had been nursing it all week. Unfortunately he didn't come through a test on Thursday.

    When you get this far you see the Wembley towers in front of you and you dream of getting there.

    I've never reached a semi-final in England, so here's an opportunity for the players to elevate me to a new milestone in my career, which would be very nice if they do!

    The iconic towers came down a few years ago, but we'll give Roy this one - he's clearly excited about the chance that's within his reach.

  14. Cup specialistpublished at 11:49 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    Heurelho Gomes makes his customary cup appearance for Watford - all his five starts this season have come in the cup competitions.

    Heurelho GomesImage source, AFP
  15. 'It will be a very close game again'published at 11:44 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    Watford

    Watford head coach Javi Gracia: "It's something different, something special. We are so close to playing in a semi-final. We feel it and know it's important.

    "It is a very good chance for us but also Palace as well. Playing against Palace is always very demanding. All the games have been very, very close. We have to be ready knowing it will be a very close game again."

    Watford prevailed 2-1 in both Premier League meetings with Palace this season.

  16. Commentators in positionpublished at 11:37 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

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  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:33 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    What do you make of the teams, and how are you feeling about how this quarter-final will pan out?

    As ever, we'd love to hear from you so share your thoughts on #bbcfootball or text to 81111 (UK only), and please include your name if texting.

    Watford fanImage source, PA
  18. Team newspublished at 11:29 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    watfordImage source, BBC Sport

    Javi Gracia makes eight changes to the side which were beaten at the Etihad last weekend with Kiko Femenia, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue the only players to retain their starting berths.

    Attacking quartet Roberto Pereyra, Gerard Deulofeu, Will Hughes and skipper Troy Deeney all return.

    Watford XI: Gomes, Femenia, Mariappa, Cathcart, Holebos, Hughes, Doucoure, Capoue, Pereya, Deulofeu, Deeney.

    Subs: Dahlberg, Kabasele, Janmaat, Masina, Cleverley, Success, Gray.

    crystal palaceImage source, BBC Sport

    Roy Hodgson makes three changes to the side which lost to Brighton last Saturday, as Martin Kelly, Cheikhou Kouyate and Max Meyer all come into the starting XI.

    Scott Dann, Patrick van Aanholt and Wilfried Zaha miss out completely.

    Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Wan-Bissaka, Kelly, Tomkins, Schlupp, Milivojevic, Kouyate, Meyer, McArthur, Townsend, Batshuayi.

    Subs: Hennessey, Ward, Woods, Riedewald, Wickham, Benteke, Ayew.

  19. Radio 1's Chris lives out his Watford dreampublished at 11:22 GMT 16 March 2019

  20. Watford make eight changes, no Zaha for Palacepublished at 11:16 GMT 16 March 2019

    Watford v Crystal Palace (12:15 GMT)

    Watford have made eight changes to the side that lost at Man City last Saturday, and while Palace make three changes there is no sign of Wilfried Zaha, who was reported to have a calf strain., external