Hornets confidence high for showdown with Palace

Thursday 21 Apr 2016
Watford's Mario Suarez
Watford midfielder Mario Suarez insists the Hornets will approach Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace high on confidence – although they will not underestimate their opponents.

Promoted to the Premier League last season, Watford have enjoyed a successful season so far, finding themselves comfortably mid-table and in the last four of The FA Cup.

Crystal Palace v Watford

The Emirates FA Cup
Semi-Final
4pm, Sunday 23 April 2016
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Live on BT Sport
Winners receive £900,000 from prize fund
Losers receive £450,000

In the previous round they stunned holders Arsenal by 2-1 to book their spot at Wembley, where they face Crystal Palace this weekend.

Their opponents have been struggling to hit form of late, with a disappointing 2016 seeing them slip from fifth in the Premier League table at the start of the year to 16th.

They also lost out 2-1 to Watford in February, although Suarez is refusing to get carried away by previous results.

"I think in these kind of games, semi-finals and finals, the past doesn’t count for anything and it is just a game," said the Spaniard.

"The team who makes the least mistakes will win. These kind of games are special and are very beautiful to play in.

"Of course I think we can win on Sunday and if we don’t think we can win, it is better not to go to the game. 

Emirates FA Cup preview: Crystal Palace v Watford

"We are in the semi-final because of ourselves and the things we have done in The FA Cup."

Former Atletico Madrid man Suarez certainly knows what it takes to win silverware, with a Europa League winner’s medal among his collection as well as a La Liga crown, Copa Del Rey triumph and two UEFA Super Cup successes during his time in Spain’s capital. 

Back in February he posted pictures on social media of him watching in the crowd at Wembley Stadium as Manchester City beat Liverpool in the League Cup final.

And the 29-year-old is determined to play his own role in helping Watford take another step closer to lifting a trophy of their own this season.

"I have been to the final of the League Cup and it is an amazing stadium. It is the kind of stadium every player wants to play in and I hope I can play," he added.

"If I have to be on the bench I will support my team-mates and the coach will have to decide who plays. All the players want to play in these kind of games."

By FA Staff