Pic: @CPFC. Roy Hodgson
This Saturday Crystal Palace will travel to Anfield to play Liverpool, the Premier League leaders. After losing to Watford last week, Roy Hodgson’s side will be looking to bounce back and continue their climb up the table. Liverpool, who have only suffered one defeat this season, are fighting to win their first Premier League title since 1990.
Is there hope for Palace?
With 35 points and 12 places separating the two teams, many would be pessimistic about Palace’s chances. The Premier League’s leaders have only conceded 10 goals this season.
But Palace have proved they can trouble even the tightest defences. In December, Crystal Palace won 3-2 against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. This result came courtesy of goals from Jeffree Schlupp, Luka Milivojević and a potential goal of the season from Andros Townsened.
Pic: @CPFC. Christian Benteke
Injury updates:
Christian Benteke will be on the bench for the second time after 20 games out injured. He has not scored this season but will hopefully cause problems to his old club’s defence.
Roy Hodgson will be forced to field 39-year-old Julian Speroni in goal for the first time since 2017. This comes after injuries to the club’s first and second place goalkeepers, Vicente Guaita and Wayne Hennessey.
Match facts:
- The Premier League leaders have scored 50 goals this season compared to Palace’s 20.
- Liverpool have created 43 big chances and Crystal Palace have generated 17.
- So far this season, the Eagles have won 6, lost 12 and conceded 28 goals. Liverpool have won 17, lost 1 and conceded 10.
- Crystal Palace have lost their last four games against Liverpool.
Roy has done wonders to keep Palace afloat. However, he doesn’t appear to want or be able to take them to the next step. They have no offense and that does not appear to concern him at all. Wilf and Andros have done more than their share. However, they can’t score. —-Jordan is more than pathetic in his skills. Christian is a “basket case” who appears to have immense talent but is mentally defective. Roy obviously does not like Connor with his aggression and has shown repeatedly that he does not want to injure the psyche of Christian with any criticism or competition. —-Against Chelsea, he did not even try to win but only to keep the score respectable. Liverpool could easily win 4-0 with their immense talent, Palace plays only defense, has goal keeping woes, and a resultant lack of aggression. Steve Parish needs to access the situation with a heart to heart with Roy as the flames of relegation are eating at their feet.