Doncaster Rovers vs Crystal Palace. The FA Cup Fifth Round.
The Keepmoat StadiumAttendance14,010.
Sunday 17 February 2019 18:13, UK
Wilfried Zaha will miss out for Crystal Palace through suspension as they travel to Doncaster in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.
The forward was charged with improper conduct last week after applauding the referee's decision to give him a second yellow card and given an additional one-game ban, but despite an appeal from the club, Zaha will not feature this weekend.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson knows it will be a tough game against their Sky Bet League One opponents, saying: "We're expecting a tough game. Doncaster are on a good run, on the cusp of the Championship, so we'll be in for a very tough match. The players are under no illusions as to what waits for them [on Sunday]. Competition for places can be a greater motivating factor than any team talk or anything a coach says."
Doncaster manager Grant McCann wants his side to make history by beating their Premier League rival this weekend, and says he needs to get the balance of his time correct.
"We have a chance to make history here, we're one game from the quarter-finals, it sounds mad to say it but we want to make everyone proud and the belief is really high, but no matter what the result it won't affect my players," he said.
"We have to make sure we get the team right, we have a great balance in this squad and hopefully that can stand us in good stead to have a good game.
"We're a group that are all together, we're all focused and the lads know everyone could be needed at some point, whether that be Sunday or for the rest of the season, the approach is no different."
Chelsea loanee Michy Batshuayi could make his first start for Crystal Palace on Sunday, with Hodgson saying: "Michy's settled in very well. He's a very lively character and he knows a few of the lads already. In terms of his minutes played, and his training so far, he's been everything we could have wanted him to be."
Cheikhou Kouyate is expected to make a return, although Julian Speroni is not fit for selection.
Andy Butler has returned from suspension for Doncaster, but Tyler Smith and Rian McLean are cup-tied.
This will be the first ever FA Cup meeting between Doncaster and Crystal Palace, and the first of any kind since the 2011-12 Championship season (one win for Doncaster and one draw).
Crystal Palace are winless in their last six away games against Doncaster in all competitions (D2 L4) since a 5-1 win in the fourth tier in August 1960.
This is Doncaster's first appearance in the fifth round of the FA Cup since 1955-56 - they've never reached the quarter-finals before.
Crystal Palace have only reached the FA Cup quarter-final once in the last 23 seasons, in 2015-16 when they went all the way to the final.
Doncaster haven't beaten top-flight opposition in the FA Cup since January 1985 (1-0 vs QPR), drawing two and losing five since.
Crystal Palace have won five of their last seven away games in the FA Cup (D1 L1), more than they had in their previous 23 on the road in the competition (W4 D5 L14).
Doncaster are flying and had a good result in the week. I think it will be a hard game. Look at the draw, there's two teams left out of the top six after this round. They have got good players and why would you get this far if you are not going to have a go.
MERSE PREDICTS: 1-2 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
