I said Del Boy earlier but Brian McDermott has hit the nail on the head.

"Brian thinks I look like Rodney," says Dan Walker.

MAKE-UP! You're on now!

Danny Murphy
Ex-Liverpool midfielder

"It's a splendid opportunity for both sides. The two months that Palace have had in the Premier League have been awful but what a chance this is to lift the cup and play at Wembley."

Former Reading and Crystal Palace boss Steve Coppell: "The 1990 FA Cup final has to be the highlight of my managerial career. It was a dream to lead a side out at Wembley."

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Alan Pardew will be trying to replicate what he managed as a player at Crystal Palace by helping them get to the final.

Pardew scored a dramatic extra-time winner against Liverpool in the 1990 semi-final to set up a Wembley clash with Manchester United, who won the tie.

That, incidentally, was Crystal Palace's last FA Cup final appearance.

BBC One

Join Gary Lineker and co for build up to tonight's FA Cup action on BBC One and online now. You can also listen to 5 live commentary at the same time on the web, or on Red Button if you are watching on TV.

Dave Sussex

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So just what has gone wrong at Crystal Palace for them to be in such a shocking run of form?

Damien Delaney reckons witchcraft is involved.

He said:, external "You look at some of the goals that have gone in against us: the deflection for the first against Sunderland; [Fabio] Borini's equalise the other night … nine times out of 10 that doesn’t even go near going in. 

"I don’t know, maybe someone’s put a spell or something on us. But you can’t feel sorry for yourselves. It’s done."

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Here's the Premier League tables at the turn of the year (above) and as of today (below), highlighting just how bad Crystal Palace's form has been. Terrible. 

They seem to turn it on for the cup, though, having beaten Southampton, Stoke and Tottenham on their way to the quarter-finals.

Image source, .

Image source, Getty Images

For a Championship club to outdo plenty of Premier League clubs and get to the semi-finals of the FA Cup once is a great achievement.

To be just one game away from repeating that feat for a second consecutive year is an incredible achievement.

The Royals were edged in extra-time by Arsenal at Wembley last year, and will fancy their chances of at least equalling that run having already seen off Premier League opposition this season - they beat West Brom to set up the clash with Crystal Palace.

Reading boss Brian McDermott: "I've been lucky enough to be in the quarter-finals three times with Reading and we got to the last four last time. It's a competition we love and we are reveling in it.

"It's a full house at the Madejski, what's not to love? We have players who can make things happen, we are really looking forward to it. It's going to be a good night.

"Alan Pardew is a good friend of mine, he brought me here in September 2000. It's great to have him back. 

"We want to make sure our fans go home happy."

By the way, watch out for Dan Walker's coat when BBC One coverage gets under way. Del Boy comes to mind...

Gary Lineker: Messrs Wright, Coppell and Murphy bringing their insight to proceedings. @BBCOne, external 7.30

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew: "We are having a bit of a tricky spell at the moment so it would be nice to get some glory in this. 

"We have played brilliantly in the FA Cup, and we have had a bit of luck which we have not had in the league. 

"Reading will play above themselves tonight, so we will have to play above ourselves."  

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew names the same outfield 10 who started against Liverpool at the weekend, with fit-again Wayne Hennessey in goal the only change. Can front three Wilfried Zaha, Emmanuel Adebayor and Yannick Bolasie find their best form?

Palace XI: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Bolasie, Jedinak, Cabaye, Ledley, Zaha; Adebayor.   

Reading make eight changes from the side which lost to Huddersfield on Tuesday night - where Brian McDermott rested players. Hal Robson-Kanu, who will lead the line for Wales at Euro 2016, starts up front and Michael Hector - who will go to Chelsea in the summer - starts at the back.

Reading XI: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, McShane (c), Cooper, Hector, Norwood, Quinn, Robson-Kanu, John, Cox.  

With Alan Pardew not exactly getting the red carpet treatment tonight, who often gets a frosty reception from your fans and why?

Get involved via #bbcfacup, external, text in on 81111 (UK only) or have your say on the MOTD Facebook page.

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Alan Pardew is in the house - the house of Pards, you could say...

He might be readying himself for a few boos from the home fans, but at least Pardew will be guaranteed one friendly face tonight.

Royals boss Brian McDermott was brought in as a coach at Reading by Alan Pardew back in 2000. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing Brian and a few old friends at Reading," said Pardew. “I was so pleased he got the job back at Reading because he knows the club and understands what it takes to get out of the Championship."

Image source, Getty Images