City's press can still put Brighton under pressure, while Brighton have routes into the space behind a changed City defence. The contest turns on whether City can keep producing clean chances after its first break through. Fulham against Palace has a different rhythm: Fulham can recycle attacks into the area, and Palace can answer through Mateta and its left flank. Both ties will be shaped by which side can create again after the opponent's first response.
Brighton created chances against Liverpool despite a scoreless result and showed a cup comeback route at United. City retain Foden and Doku, but the club says Haaland, Anderson, Dias, Gvardiol and Donnarumma have been given time off; four played the full Villa match, making this a current cup decision. Brighton's Minteh and Wieffer are back in contention, though neither played Liverpool, while Mitoma remains out. I side with Brighton's ability to keep the match close through its own supply and City's altered spine.
Fulham made repeated box entries against Palace in their previous meeting, then sustained the Bobb and King connection in recent wins. Palace's Mitchell and Mateta can still turn a smaller number of openings into a goal, but Sage plans some rotation and Sarr's running is restricted. Henderson missed Newcastle but is expected back, so the case does not assume he remains out; Larsen's involvement is less settled. I side with Fulham turning the stronger repeated entry route into the decisive finish.
