Crystal Palace’s Scott Dann denies that he has unfinished business with the FA Cup after the 2016 final defeat but admits this season they have a big ‘opportunity’ in the competition.

Roy Hodgson’s men travel to Watford in the quarter-finals on Saturday knowing the winners will head to Wembley as one of the last four in football’s oldest cup competition.

Dann is fully aware of the difficulty in just getting to the national stadium having been part of the Eagles side that were undone by Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in the final, .

“It was tough to take,” said the 32-year-old.

“Obviously we were close to winning it in that final but it wasn’t to be.

“It is not easy to get there (Wembley).

“You don’t get there many times in your career.

“So it is a big opportunity for us and hopefully we can put in a performance which can take us to the next stage.

“Anytime you are in the competition you want to go as far as you can.”

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New Rivalry

Watford were Palace’s semi-final victims in 2016, and subsequently a mini-rivalry has forged between the sides.

“We have played them in cup games and, before my time here, the [play-off] final to get to the Premier League.

“When you have those types of games, maybe a surprising rivalry starts to keep up.

“I think it probably feels as though there has been one, but I think it is more to do with the games that we have played them in and what’s been at stake.”

On the back of a 2-1 defeat in the M23 derby to Brighton last Saturday, and with Watford having a very successful season under Javier Gracia, Dann is aware Watford will be favourites but is confident of progressing to the next round.

“It is away from home, but our form away from home has been really good.

“We feel if we can put the things that didn’t go right against Brighton and get back to the type of form we have shown in recent weeks, we can go there and get the result we need to get through.”

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