Crystal Palace vs Southampton: Preview, predictions and lineups

Crystal Palace spherical off their 2024 on Sunday afternoon by welcoming a doubtlessly rejuvenated Southampton to Selhurst Park.

It has been a dire marketing campaign for the Saints so far, however new supervisor Ivan Juric has provided a glimmer of hope. Juric oversaw a 1-0 defeat to West Ham on his managerial bow, however there was lots to admire concerning the Saints’ efficiency and so they’d must have claimed at the least a degree.

“From watching the Fulham recreation and right this moment, I believe our crew can compete,” the brand new boss stated post-match on Thursday.

A drift in the direction of pragmatism will doubtlessly support the Premier League’s backside dwellers, who’ve gathered a meagre six factors this time period.

Palace had began the season within the trenches with Southampton, however Oliver Glasner has stumbled upon stability over the previous couple of months. The Eagles are maybe not the high-flying unit we noticed earlier this 12 months, however they seem well-balanced as soon as extra and able to making a push in the direction of mid-table.

After shedding twice to Arsenal final week, they might’ve been greater than content material with a degree on the in-form Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

Right here is 90min’s information to Sunday’s Premier League conflict.

Crystal Palace vs Southampton H2H File (Final 5 Video games)

Present kind (all competitions)

The Eagles will likely be with out skipper Marc Guehi after he picked up his fifth reserving of the Premier League season at Bournemouth. Chris Richards will possible come into Glasner’s again three because of this.

Eberechi Eze returned from a minor foot harm to characteristic on Thursday and he needs to be within the XI once more this weekend. Nevertheless, Palace are nonetheless with out midfielder Adam Wharton, summer time arrival Chadi Riad and Matheus Franca.

Cheick Doucoure might come into the Palace midfield and substitute the spectacular Will Hughes, who has performed a whole lot of soccer over the previous few weeks.

Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Southampton (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Richards; Munoz, Lerma, Doucoure, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta.

As anticipated, there was no main systematic overhaul from Juric on his managerial bow, with the previous Serie A boss retaining a again three.

That would be the case once more on Sunday and there are unlikely to be main personnel adjustments.

Paul Onuachu was a nuisance in opposition to the Hammers with out getting on the scoresheet and deserves to retain his place. There is also a recall to the XI for younger Tyler Dibling after he appeared off the bench on Boxing Day, with {the teenager} doubtlessly coming in for Mateus Fernandes behind the 2 strikers.

Gavin Bazunu, Juan Larios, Ross Stewart and Will Smallbone are all sidelined.

Southampton predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace (3-4-1-2): Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Bednarek; Sugawara, Downes, Ugochukwu, Walker-Peters; Dibling; Archer, Onuachu.

We should not count on thrills and spills on south London on Sunday. There’s scope for these two sides to cancel one another out.

Southampton are going to be a a lot trickier check for opponents with the wily Juric on the helm, however they are going to battle for objectives, so the hosts could must huff and puff their approach by means of Sunday’s bout. Their defence – performances in opposition to Arsenal however – has improved immeasurably over the previous six weeks and they need to be capable to shut their profligate guests out.

Maybe one second of magic from Palace’s dynamic entrance three will tilt the competition of their favour.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-0 Southampton

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