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Daily Palace: Eze Sarr-a, Sarr-a, Whatever Will Hughes Will Be, We're Going to Wembley
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As they do everyday Wale, Joe, Alex, and Dan are discussing the latest goings on at the Mighty Palace
In this Episode: Joe and Wale celebrate Palace beating Fulham in the FA Quarter Final, thereby cementing their status as the best team in England in 2025
Season :- 1 Episode:- 121
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Transcript
Introduction and Co-host Introduction
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be.
00:00:15
Wale Bakare
you
00:00:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to Wembley. Que sera, sera. Welcome back to the Daily Pass podcast, brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. ah Spring has sprung here in Manchester, which means I'm getting my annual bout of psoriasis in one single specific finger, which I can't show it to camera without getting our content flagged as abusive.
Rumor Mill: Crystal Palace and Lorenzo Luca
00:00:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
um With me today is Wale Bakari. How are you doing, Wale?
00:00:43
Wale Bakare
I'm great, I'm great. are you doing, Joe? Great to be on the board today.
00:00:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I am very well. Very well, thank you, Wale. Buoyed by the fact that today we are going to do a full episode deep dive on the rumours linking Palace to Udinese forward Lorenzo Luca.
00:01:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Does that sound right to you, Wale? Yeah.
00:01:02
Wale Bakare
so sure.
Match Recap: Crystal Palace vs Fulham
00:01:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, of course, we're going to be talking actually about Palace's 3-0 dispatching of Fulham in the FA Cup quarterfinals. Goals from Eze, Saar and Eddie Nketiah saw the Eagles score themselves a date with destiny at Wembley, booking their place in the FA Cup semifinal.
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Talk me through this, Wale. How did Palace play? Was the result a fair reflection of the match?
00:01:35
Wale Bakare
I think it was. i think Palace were the better side, even though, um of course, it was the the kind of performance we've come to know with Palace. You will get your chance. You will have the ball, but they will, you know, hurt you.
Analyzing Crystal Palace's Performance
00:01:50
Wale Bakare
ah in moments where you've shown lapse of concentration or in moments where you allowed, you know, ah maybe Eze or Saha beat you to the ball or in moments where you've just lost the ball unnecessarily. And and and that was a, it was, you know, a well-drilled Palace performance as we've come to know within in the last you know couple of weeks leading to months now uh the defense not giving so much away chris richard's by the way wasn't great for me that game fantastic there was a time when the commentators were joking about i think it was about five crosses into the box by fulham and all five were headed away by him and the commissioner was like if yeah we could do this all day and it would keep you know
00:02:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
just
00:02:37
Wale Bakare
adding the ball away. And it it was just a great performance by Palace. It was effective. It was efficient, rather. That's the proper word I was looking for. and And that's what Olivier Glasner's Palace have become.
00:02:51
Wale Bakare
I just really hope it continues for a very long time. ah Fulham is one that, you know, they came to sell us, got a victory ah in the league. Then it did feel like when Palace went to the London Stadium, they had to, you know, get their own pound of flesh back in the league just a couple of weeks ago. And they did that.
00:03:11
Wale Bakare
So that put the game in a fine balance. I had a lot of yesterday, lot of people saying it's too close to call. The two teams evenly matched. Great season so far in their respective rights. And going into the game, Palace were in a better form and the team in a better form you know carried the day. it was great to have Mateta back. It was great to see...
00:03:34
Wale Bakare
the Aberdee Giese that we know. That's the Aberdee Giese that every Palace fan, you know, is clamouring for a week in, week out. Fantastic finish for him to get the goal. Great, you know, assist for the Sargo, but his overall play was great. the no It just seemed like, you know, Palace looked like the team, ah maybe not for the all of the game, but for the larger part of the game, Palace looked like the team that,
00:04:00
Wale Bakare
have that confidence to get the result. and And yeah, that that was exactly what we saw. It was a great performance, fair result. I really, really hope that that form will continue into the Vila game in the semi-final.
00:04:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think you're spot on. Efficient is the word for that Palace performance. Defensively, great. As you say, they probably did afford Fulham a couple of chances in the first 10 minutes or so.
00:04:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But from there on out, the back three were imperious and...
00:04:30
Wale Bakare
Thank you.
00:04:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah mix of efficiency and inspiration the final third was enough to see Palace take it home pretty comfortably and it's just a culmination really of Palace's form and in the entirety of 2025 so so far um and yeah Great to see them still managing to deliver those kind of performances when the pressure's on in a game this massive.
Eze's World-Class Impact
00:05:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which players particularly stood out for you, Ale? I'm imagining Eze mentioned him there. um so yeah took Talk to me about Eze's performance. Tell me about any other players that you think deserve a bit of a spotlight.
00:05:13
Wale Bakare
Well, Eze, of course, you know fantastic in the game. He was just, um it just seemed like he was man on a mission, maybe buoyed by the fact that got his first international goal during the ah you know international break.
00:05:30
Wale Bakare
and it wasn't just about the goal. It was, as general player, was just what we know he's able to achieve. that we There's been so many times we've talked this season about Eze is scratching the surface and ah flattering to deceive and maybe, you know, giving a performance where we think, oh, he's getting there, but we know as is more than capable of doing that, especially against, you know,
00:05:59
Wale Bakare
Maybe not against you know quality defenders, as you no disrespect to Anderson, Barsi, Robins saying that I think was Castagne who was playing the right back.
00:06:14
Wale Bakare
These are quality players. Barsi is a player love very much. but Against players like that, against you know clubs, ah you know the mid-table clubs, you expect Eze to have a great game.
00:06:26
Wale Bakare
And a lot of times he hasn't this season. But in this game against Fulham, it was back to his absolute best. And it was just great. ah you know per is ah you know A lot of the other guys, Chris Richards for me, ah was the pick of the trio in the back.
00:06:40
Wale Bakare
even though Gay you know was assured that Gay and Lacroix was you know ever ah oh ah ever mature. And but that was the word. though There was a part um at the at the last, you know after that full time when everyone, usually players go to themselves and you know slap their hands and give themselves a hug.
00:07:05
Wale Bakare
The handshake between Lacroix and Gay seemed like the handshake between you know, two 55-year-old businessmen with this completely good deal.
00:07:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:07:15
Wale Bakare
And he was just, nice job. You know, he was very serious. and And it just, for me, you just, ah you know, epitomizes,
00:07:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
you.
00:07:25
Wale Bakare
Lacroix and how he goes about his job you know in the defense, is yes, he will maybe give away you one or two, but against Fulham, it was you know an efficient display. Richards, for me, was fantastic.
00:07:38
Wale Bakare
um Of course, Lema was one that I enjoyed watching as well, Jefferson Lema. Great. And he had that amazing shot that came off the bat.
00:07:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:07:52
Wale Bakare
That is a technique you you see once in a year.
00:07:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:07:56
Wale Bakare
I haven't seen it this year.
00:07:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
flo
00:07:57
Wale Bakare
We've seen that one. I won't be surprised if we don't get another one you know until 2026.
00:08:03
Wale Bakare
It was just the perfect finish, except for the fact that it didn't go in. and but it was it He had a great game. I think overall, and the boys had a great game.
00:08:14
Wale Bakare
I was looking at the the ratings after the game and Adam Wharton's ratings was probably one of the lowest. turned out he had a great game and that just tells you how well Palace played.
00:08:25
Wale Bakare
So was it was just a good performance overall. But I'm particularly pleased for Eze, pleased for how well he played. You could see ah the the joy on the face of Olivier Glasner when he came off. you know They had a few words. I'm not a leap reader, but you can only imagine what it was saying to him.
00:08:47
Wale Bakare
that that is a world-class performance. We've seen him do that a lot of times in games, but it's just been elusive this season.
00:08:57
Wale Bakare
But in that game on Sunday, ah when ah you know it mattered what was going to be in Wembley, the way Eze played, it was quite obvious. Palace meant business. And you know the team really wanted to be at Wembley, and he carried the team.
00:09:14
Wale Bakare
He had a fantastic performance, you know led the line well from the front, and kudos to him for that.
00:09:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah. think um as a he was putting that kind of performance in, coming in off the left, wearing a red and blue shirt, away that team wearing white shirts, it was all very Ronaldinho at the Bernabeu for me.
00:09:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And if any team's likely to... give a standing ovation in England an opposition player probably is Fulham so slightly disappointed he didn't get one for his performance and on the day there but he got one hell of an ovation from the Palace fans when he was brought off towards the end it was a really nice moment I think that's his his best most inspired performance this season so far probably for Palace and great see him brimming with confidence like that again um
Defensive Highlights: Richards and Lacroix
00:10:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you mentioned defence there. Richard was great.
00:10:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I also think, again, you mentioned him, but Lacroix deserves a lot of credit, um not just for his business-like conduct, but he got three blocks in, three interceptions.
00:10:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
six clearances and made a load of those raking long passes. It doesn't make as many of them as Anderson used to in the same role, but he really can deliver them.
00:10:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it is it's so important to helping Palace get out quickly they when they don't have control the midfields.
00:10:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Eze's first goal kind of stems from Le Quart, just pinging the ball really quickly out so to Mitchell, who pops it inside to Eze. And then obviously, you know he's got a lot of work to do from there.
00:10:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah It's something spectacular, but I think it shows the value of Le Quart, both on and off the ball. And Sar deserves some credit as well for me, I think. the Not his most kind of all-action performance, but fundamentally made vital contributions in both boxes.
00:11:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
His run and header is really good for the second goal. And he got that block in that probably Fulham's only big chance, again, outside the first 10 minutes. was that kind of bundled corner and bassy looks like he's going to be able to hook it in and and sar kind of comes out of nowhere to get his foot in the way of it um so for those vital contributions either in the pitch i think he deserves a lot of credit but we'll have a little pause there for a word from our sponsors before continuing to celebrate this wonderful performance from crystal palace
00:12:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, this this is now largely a pointless hypothetical, but that's very much what we're in the business of.
What If: Alternate Outcomes
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
If Jose hadn't produced that moment of magic to break the deadlock in the game, do you think it still would have gone in the same direction? do you think you're still seeing a comfortable Palace win or could have turned out a little differently?
00:12:54
Wale Bakare
Yeah, I think it would have. but i I think that you know on on on the balance of you know of play, Fulham had the most of the ball.
00:13:06
Wale Bakare
They had the most shots. But when you talk about these days, there's a lot talks about big chances and XG and all of that. It was finally balanced, yeah. But the biggest chances, you know wet palace chances,
00:13:22
Wale Bakare
um You know, there was the unfortunate Le Marble that, you know, canoned off the post, know, after ah a finish of that nature, you know, a deserves a goal.
00:13:33
Wale Bakare
um
00:13:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
hmm
00:13:34
Wale Bakare
that That's one. ah There was the the fact that, you know, there were, you know, other places where, you know, Palace just didn't get the final pass right. But Palace appeared more dangerous, especially when they, you know, tried to eat Fulham, you know, on the break.
00:13:51
Wale Bakare
um and and and and that was something we saw. think that you know a lot of victories in football, yes, the game was three zero but a lot of victories in football is built upon that zero.
00:14:04
Wale Bakare
It's built upon you know not conceding the goal. And that that Palace defence did look like that we're not going to conceder a goal yesterday.
00:14:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:16
Wale Bakare
so so it was only a matter of time before Palace got the goal. um it's it's so easy to look at the goal scored in a game and say, oh, if this thing go in, I don't see many other chances. But but there's a lot of things you know that happen in in a football game when a goal is scored.
00:14:35
Wale Bakare
It does have a lot of effect on how the team is approaching the play. it does have a lot of effect on change of shape and all of that. If if that game had remained goalless, Palace would continue to go at Fulham the way they were going, you know trying to hit them on you know, every time Fulham came forward, you know, trying to, you know um you know, get them, cut them out on a break and all of that. And eventually, pilots would have found a way. So I honestly really think the way pilots are playing at the moment, they don't give away a lot of chances.
00:15:06
Wale Bakare
And they try to take the chances when they get them. And for some reason, you know, Saz finishes, you know, Even Edin Katia is getting a couple of goals for himself at the moment.
00:15:18
Wale Bakare
So for some reason, it's only a matter of time before Palace gets a goal in a game. but It's very rare that you're able to keep the team quiet and you know stop them from getting a goal these days. So I really do think, yeah, Eise's finish did do a great damage to Fulham and you know got the boys up another level. But Palace did look like the team that would have gone to win that game yesterday.
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think you're right. Palace, I believe, have not conceded a goal away since Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in mid-December and they looked like they could have played that game of five times and not conceded really with the way it was going um towards the end they would just so solid at the back
00:15:54
Wale Bakare
Thank you.
00:16:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Calvin Bassi seemed determined to allow Palace to have opportunities to score. And as you say, they've got plenty of forwards who are taking a chance at a moment. I noticed Eddie Nketiah has been promoted so from the come by the commentators from having had a difficult or disappointing season to having an up and down season now.
00:16:24
Wale Bakare
Yeah.
00:16:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he'll be happy on that.
00:16:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's ah That's a good outcome for him over the last few weeks. um And yeah, took chance really well. Sar took his chance really well, I think. It's team that are confident and are efficient at the moment and probably even without that moment of genius from Eze. I think we do get over the line here, but nevertheless, it was it was certainly helpful in opening the game up.
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And when you're playing a solid team like Fulham, it's a godsend to have player like Eze. You can produce those moments and John-Philippe Mateta returns um after his horror injury against Millwall, equipped with some novel protective headgear, ah other than like a second-rate bounty hunter in the Star Wars universe.
Mateta's Comeback from Injury
00:17:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
How did Mateta look on his return to action for you, Arlie?
00:17:17
Wale Bakare
ah First of all, was great to have him back. A lot of us were scared you know for him after that horrendous tackle by... I can't even remember what team it was now, but I know his name is Roberts, the goalkeeper.
00:17:30
Wale Bakare
Yeah, me or her. Yeah, so um a lot of people were scared for him and it was great to know that he could get back... ah He could maybe even have been back a week earlier, if not for the international break. But it was great seeing him on the pitch. I did think there were moments when maybe there was some you know psychological withdrawal from some duels.
00:17:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:18:01
Wale Bakare
um There was a time when he obviously didn't go for the ball, but and I think the commentator ended up saying it was the sun, but I don't know if you you never tell.
00:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:18:09
Wale Bakare
I would think that after you know that kind of injury, you would find yourself you know we unconsciously or unweaterally sometimes, you know ah just leaving some dwells and saying, well, I'll i'll just wait for, you know, the drop ball. And I know, as i said as ah maybe I'm wrong, but i did see a bit of that, you know, in the game.
00:18:31
Wale Bakare
But it was, um you know, in other parts of the game, you know, presence. It was in other parts of the game, you know, drawing attention to himself, creating, sp you know spaces for the likes of Eze and Sa on either sides of him and that's something that he's done well because ah after you know staying out for with that kind of a challenge and the injury from that challenge it will you know to take a couple of games for him to you need to get back to his groove but it's good that Kete is coming on and and getting goals as well and maybe you know that will you lessen the burden on
00:19:09
Wale Bakare
um Mateta in the coming weeks, especially for Palace, usually many years on the Royal Odds and there would have been more, this is a period where Palace, you know, go on a run and then get to the 40 point mark and then the last couple of games, you know, rarely, you know, it's just games where they just consolidate on their position in the league. But this season, this is the most important part of the season. and of You know,
00:19:37
Wale Bakare
Maybe, just maybe, I did say the other time, maybe just maybe there's ah there's a chance of a late surge for Europe. But FA Cup success will be deemed as a very, very successful season for Palace.
00:19:52
Wale Bakare
And if if you want to qualify for the semi-final at Wembley, there's no one that's going to say to any of those players that they don't have a big chance.
00:20:03
Wale Bakare
So but it's at that moment where the belief will be high, ah even though it's Aston Villa, I'm sure we'll get to talk about that at some point in the pod. But um yeah, so Mateta, hopefully he will you know get back to the form he was before that injury in the next couple of weeks. But as I said, it's great to see Nekete getting the goals as well.
00:20:25
Wale Bakare
But overall, it was just a huge relief you know seeing Mateta back on the pitch.
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, I thought he looked decent considering. He wasn't hugely involved in the game, but...
00:20:36
Wale Bakare
I'm not sure you'd ever see Mateta otherwise, Joe, to be honest, but...
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's my job, my job, my job to defend him, whatever happens. But I think it was kind of... It's a difficult game to get that heavily involved in. He wasn't that heavily involved, but some of that's just tactical.
00:20:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. the way that Fulham play fairly deep and with two holding midfielders in Berger Lukic who protect that space in front of the defence, it's difficult for him to even drop it and get on the ball if that's what he really wants, to get his touch back and him find his rhythm.
00:21:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
On the whole, there probably were a few things, as you say, that he didn't... attack with the same amount of Viv as he normally does. But again, some of that's just lack of sharpness. I think he looked pretty up for it and threw himself a belt of enthusiasm for most of the game. and And that's the most encouraging sign because that's the thing you worry most about.
00:21:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I like the moustache. I don't know what it was about the injury or headgear that made him feel he has to shave everything other than his top lip, but I liked it um And yeah, I got the general sense that he hasn't lost any of his joie de foot.
00:21:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So pretty good result for Jean-Philippe Mateta on the whole.
Near Miss: Lerma's Spectacular Attempt
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Last reflection on the game. You've mentioned it a couple of times already, Wally, but prior to Eze's spectacular opener, Lerma nearly scored an absolute screamer of his own, the ball dropping for a volley from outside the box after a corner.
00:22:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would that have been even better than Eze's goal?
00:22:20
Wale Bakare
I would have, to be honest.
00:22:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:23
Wale Bakare
Because, well, it's quite, it's difficult, you know, to eat a volume and to catch it so clean. And what pains me is the fact that, you know, the boat comes off the post and it's deemed off target.
00:22:36
Wale Bakare
I think it's it's it's the most inhumane description, you know, of an effort like that. It's deemed off target.
00:22:47
Wale Bakare
But, Yeah, I honestly would have enjoyed that more. than, you know, is his goal. I personally always love a volley and especially one that's coming at you and you've had to adjust your body and lean back a bit and just snap at it.
00:23:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:05
Wale Bakare
See when, see the with the side volleys, as difficult as they are, maybe it's easier than when you have the ball coming to you and then you just lean back and just, oh no, that thought was a fantastic catch at that angle.
00:23:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:23:19
Wale Bakare
And it would have gone in Leno had no chance whatsoever. I was at Brooklyn, you know, to see it come off the woodwork. But yeah.
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, if if Paul Scholes had scored that, we'd be hearing from Zidane about it for sure. I think it was it was really special. It's ah it's a right shape of thing going.
00:23:37
Wale Bakare
Yeah.
00:23:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
and ah But we can add that to the list. Palace have had few sensational goals, just not quite happened this season. and um But we'll remember them and we'll celebrate them for it. So well done.
00:23:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Putting good performance beyond that, but it's a real shame for him that that hasn't been cemented in ah FA Cup folklore. um We are going to have our second break now and then wrap up by talking about the shape of the rest of the tournament for Ballas.
Semifinal Draw: Palace vs Aston Villa
00:24:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
So joining the mighty Palace in reaching the semis, the comparative Minnows, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Aston Villa. Palace have drawn the latter of the three and will take on Villa on the 26th April.
00:24:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that a pretty decent outcome in your opinion, Wally? And you've already touched on this, but can Palace go all the way?
00:24:56
Wale Bakare
yes To be honest, it would have been a difficult game you know either way. ah Maybe I would have preferred Palace went into a game against Man City feeling like underdogs.
00:25:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:25:12
Wale Bakare
We've seen Palace do well in those instances, but I wouldn't kid myself. City do look like you know they remain favourites. For a moment, Bournemouth did look like they were going to hurt them, but City then came back, showed you know what they're capable of, and could have gone ahead in the game as Eileen Arlen scored his penalty. but Nottingham Forest at the moment would have been the most difficult for me because they look like they are that perfect team for just the one game.
00:25:47
Wale Bakare
They will shut you out and not let you score. And they are dangerous with Elanga, Otinodoye. They didn't have Chris Wood against Brighton, Elanga Dinh Stad or Doei Dinh Stad.
00:26:00
Wale Bakare
They had a different shape to them. And you know Brighton, although even I felt they were quite unfortunate to have lost out on penalties, still struggled to you know get a goal and break them down. So um Aston Villa is one.
00:26:16
Wale Bakare
you know, I'll take, especially considering the last time both sides met, you know, Palace were emphatic winning 4-1. I think Palace have been great against Villa this season. Remember, Palace dunked Villa out in the cup.
00:26:31
Wale Bakare
Also paid out a draw at the Villa pack, I think, at the start, you know, earlier earlier on in the season. So there's been a great ah couple of...
00:26:43
Wale Bakare
games for Palace against Villa this season. And even though we know what their quality is, we know what they're able to achieve, they've got, you know, Rashford now, they've got Asensio, Donnie and great players they brought in in January.
00:26:56
Wale Bakare
But, you know, Palace are in a good run of form of their own, and they I'm sure they will be backing themselves to get a result, you against Villa. I personally think that the games leading on to ah the ah Villa game will will be very crucial starting of course with I think Southampton in the league that's next game and then there is ct at some point and then there is Brighton you know you you want to be you know good from heading into that semi-final which for me
00:27:31
Wale Bakare
Well, until Palace qualify for the final, it's the biggest game of the season for Palace at the moment. So Palace would want to be in a good run of form, you know, adding into that game.
00:27:43
Wale Bakare
And it's it's a game where form goes out the window. It's that one game that is important. Remember, the the implication of that game for many teams, is is is you know particularly even for Aston Villa, because they are in that hunt for Europe, but they might still find themselves missing out just you know in the in the in the Premier League.
00:28:09
Wale Bakare
But doing well in the FA Cup would guarantee the Europa League, at least for them. and that That would be a good return. So it is important. you know, for Villa as well. So it's it's a game where I'm really hoping Palace will be in a good run of form ahead of the game, but um I'm quite confident.
00:28:27
Wale Bakare
If the game was, you know, on Wednesday or next weekend, we'll be back in Palace, but but there's a lot of football to come between, but I'm really hopeful that Palace will be in a good form, you know, when when when the game happens.
00:28:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, I agree. I think Villa's probably the best draw Palace could have hoped for, really. As you say, wins and a draw against them this season will give ah Palace confidence.
00:28:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Stylistically, I think they're better opponents than Forest.
00:28:58
Wale Bakare
you
00:28:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
They tend to play a bit more aggressive, more high-line, more front-footed, and that is what Palace are set up to attack. It'll be interesting to see if they might tweak that, having been beaten by Palace twice this season. But by the default, their style looks better matched.
00:29:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then City, on one hand, you kind of think you could be confident to have a go at them. But also, they're the one team of the three where it's not really in your hands if you beat them.
00:29:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
if If that City team of all the talent in it finds the right balance, they're kind of unplayable. as It's pretty impossible. um Should Palace dispatch v Villa?
Palace's 2025 Form and FA Cup Prospects
00:29:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
As you say, they they'd be going up against one of two teams that are likely to still be worrying about Champions League qualification and... will be in a worse position than Palace to rest and rotate their best players and really prioritise the cup. Not that they wouldn't both go for a lot.
00:30:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And of all the teams left in the tournament, i mean, Palace... I'm not saying they're the best, but they're in the best form in 2025. um
00:30:16
Wale Bakare
Right.
00:30:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Second-most wins after Liverpool. Least goals conceded in English top flight. So I think you have to say it's on. Palace have a great chance of having a crack at this.
00:30:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um and yeah i mean i might eat my words. Dispatch 3-0 by Villa with a couple of Rashford goals in the semi-final. bar I think so i think ivan Palace absolutely can have a good crack at this. and No one has beaten Palace easily for ages.
00:30:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
so i think whatever happens, it's going to be a good crack. um And yeah, I could see it happening. I could absolutely see Palace going all the way in this.
Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
On that optimistic note, I think it's time for us to wrap up. So thank you, Wale, for joining me.
00:31:06
Wale Bakare
That was a pleasure, Paul.
00:31:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you listening. If you've enjoyed it, give us five stars. And yeah, tune again when we return on Wednesday.