Preview: Crystal Palace vs. Southampton - Prediction, Team News, Lineups
Crystal Palace vs. Southampton. Having returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, Crystal Palace prepare to welcome Southampton to Selhurst Park on Wednesday in the Premier League.
The Eagles soared to a 3-1 success over Everton last time out, while the Saints went down 3-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Match preview
Perhaps selling their fans a false sense of security with victory over Arsenal, Everton were no match for the side under the tutelage of ex-Gunners captain Patrick Vieira, as Crystal Palace dominated proceedings to march to a stellar 3-1 win.
Conor Gallagher continues to shine at Selhurst Park as he netted his fifth and six league goals of the season either side of James Tomkins's finish, with Salomon Rondon's strike proving to be nothing more than a mere consolation in the capital.
Gallagher's second strike epitomised that of a man who could not be enjoying his football any more, and Vieira's side now find themselves 12th in the rankings after ending their three-game losing run and four-game winless streak at the weekend.
The 3-1 win over Everton did represent a fifth game on the bounce without a clean sheet for the Eagles, but it is at the other end of the pitch where they have excelled at Selhurst Park this term.
Indeed, Vieira's charges have scored in each of their last seven home games in the top flight since being held to a goalless draw against Brentford back in August, and only one of their eight Premier League encounters at Selhurst Park this term has ended in defeat.
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Having failed to make a brief spell of dominance count at the Emirates, Southampton were ultimately humbled by Arsenal after Mikel Arteta's side beat the Saints' press while playing out from the back, allowing Alexandre Lacazette to finish off a sweeping move.
Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Magalhaes also headed home either side of the half-time whistle to sink a depleted Southampton side, who are slowly but surely being dragged ever closer to the dotted line ahead of the New Year.
The Saints have now gone five games without a win in the top flight and have lost three of their last five - a barren run of form which has seen them slide to 16th in the standings, five points clear of 18th-placed Burnley having played a game more.
There is no denying the talent in the St Mary's ranks, but Ralph Hasenhuttl has now overseen three consecutive defeats on the road, with his defence being breached on at least two occasions each time.
Palace did claim a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park in this fixture last term, but that is their only success from their last five versus Southampton, who proceeded to rectify those mistakes with a 3-1 win on their own turf back in May.
Crystal Palace Premier League form:
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Southampton Premier League form:
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Team News
Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen has a slim chance of returning to the fold after taking part in training last week, but Nathan Ferguson and James McArthur are set to remain sidelined.
Even if Andersen is deemed fit to play a part, Tomkins will not cede his place easily, and the same can be said for Will Hughes after an impressive debut in the middle of the park.
However, it would not be surprising to see Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Christian Benteke come into contention for starts amid the hectic festive schedule.
As for Southampton, Hasenhuttl is facing quite the injury crisis up top after Adam Armstrong and Armando Broja came off in the Arsenal defeat, joining Che Adams on the sidelines.
Shane Long and Theo Walcott could therefore form an emergency strike pairing at Selhurst Park, where Mohamed Salisu and Oriol Romeu will make timely returns from suspensions.
Stuart Armstrong, Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy complete the list of absentees for the visitors, as 40-year-old Willy Caballero prepares for another outing in goal.
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Ward, Tomkins, Guehi, Mitchell; Gallagher, Kouyate, Hughes; Olise, Benteke, Zaha
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Caballero; Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Walker-Peters; Redmond, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Tella; Long, Walcott
BABOYO says: Crystal Palace vs. Southampton-> Over 1.5
Facing injury crises between the sticks and in the final third, Southampton's prospects of ending their winless run certainly appear to be slim ahead of Wednesday's battle.
Palace have been largely solid at home this term and have plenty of exciting attackers waiting for their chance to benefit from midweek rotation, so we are backing the Eagles to march to a second consecutive success here.
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Source: Sports Mole.
