FA Cup: Cottagers Poised to Bounce Back in Staffordshire

Stoke City vs Fulham

Fulham have had a rough start in February, dropping their recent Premier League games against Manchester United (3-2), Everton (2-1), and Manchester City (3-0). Because of their recent slump, Fulham fell to 12th in the English top-flight standings with 34 points, denting their European football aspirations. 

With the Cottagers in a bad mood, they will aim to vent their ire on Stoke City this Sunday at the bet365 Stadium, hoping this FA Cup match will cure their ills. And based on their recent history against lower-tier competitions, Fulham should do just that.

Stoke City are the underdogs against Fulham because of their poor run of form heading into this weekend. Since their 1-0 win against Coventry City in the previous round, Mark Robins’ men have gone winless in their last six league games (D3, L3). As a result, the Potters fell to 14th in the Championship standings.

 

Talking Points

Stoke City badly need more goals

Stoke City veteran Steven Nzonzi believes that the Potters are being held back by their inability to score goals, especially during their six-game skid. They are fresh from a 1-0 loss to Charlton yesterday, which was their 13th Championship blank of the season. Stoke City are scoreless in their last three, and the last time they scored more than twice in a game was in their 2-0 win at Norwich City last January.

The Potters can blame their inability to rack up goals and points on their long injury list, as they missed up to nine first-team players against Charlton. Ato Ampah (toe), Lewis Baker (ankle), Gavin Bazunu (thigh), Robert Bozenik (shoulder), Sam Gallagher (hamstring), Ben Gibson (illness), Viktor Johansson (shoulder), Bosun Lawal (hamstring), and Divin Mubama (ankle) were on the sidelines and are questionable at best to play against Fulham this weekend.

The absence of Mubama certainly hurts Stoke City’s attack, as he’s their third-leading scorer this season with five goals. With Mubama on the sidelines, Sorba Thomas, Million Manhoef, and Bae Jun-Ho are expected to shoulder the load, as they’ve combined for 15 goals and 11 assists so far this season. Stoke City also plan on maximising their set-pieces, with centre-back Ben Wilmot as their top aerial threat.

 

Jimenez isn’t gun-shy for Fulham

The goals dried up for Fulham during last night’s 3-0 loss away to Manchester City, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Marco Silva’s men had 13 total shots, only one less than the Sky Blues, with five on target (tied with the Sky Blues).

Raul Jimenez recorded three shots, including one on goal. He would come close to scoring on a few occasions, but was unable to find the back of the net. The Mexican striker is expected to lead the line again for Fulham, as he’s one of their top guns with six goals on 57 shots in 25 appearances (21 starts). 

 

History

Sunday marks only the second FA Cup meeting between Stoke City and Fulham, as the latter won 3-0 in the fourth round in January 2007 at Craven Cottage. Fulham are on a three-game winning streak against Stoke City in all competitions.

Fulham have progressed from each of their last seven FA Cup ties against lower-tier sides since losing 2-1 at home to Oldham Athletic in January 2019. They will be looking to reach the FA Cup fifth round for the second straight year, last achieving the feat in three straight seasons between 2008-09 and 2010-11.

Stoke City have won each of their last five FA Cup ties against London-based outfits. The Potters have progressed from five of their seven FA Cup fourth-round ties played at home this century.

 

Betting Tip

As noted, the FA Cup 2026 odds favour Fulham to advance to the next round on Sunday. The Cottagers are 1.70 favourites to win, while Stoke City are huge 4.00 underdogs, and a draw after 90 minutes is priced at 3.31 in the 1X2 market.

This match has the potential to produce many FA Cup 2026 highlights, with the visitors doing more, given their collective firepower and quality. Besides rooting for a Fulham victory, SBOTOP punters may want to add Over 2.25 at 1.64, Over 2.50 at 1.86, and Total Goal 2-3 at 1.98 to the parlay. 

Interestingly, a Correct Score of 3-2 in favour of the Cottagers – the result of their last league encounter four years ago – is at a mouthwatering offer of 27.00 your bet. On the other hand, any Correct Score favouring the Potters offers a tidy payout of at least 12.00 your bet.

   

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