Things can hardly get any worse for Crystal Palace now. The Eagles’ humiliation at the hands of bottom of the table side Sunderland means they are level on points with the bottom-placed club. And their next game against Stoke City will definitely not see them as the favourites.
PREDICTED CRYSTAL PALACE XI WITH THEIR NEW SIGNINGS (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Wayne Hennessey is likely to continue in goal with Mandanda out with an injury. The French international is back in training and is expected to be ready for a start in a week or so. Hennessey has conceded 28 times from 15 appearances and its time he gets things sorted out.
Palace’s defence doesn’t seem to have any kind of improvement despite Allardyce focussing heavily on bolstering it in the winter. Opponents have barged in way too easily at times and the manager is clearly out of ideas. He even deployed a five-man defence in their last game and even that went in vain.
However, we expect a balanced line-up this time this time to keep Stoke City on their toes. Ward is likely to continue at right-back and Scott Dann is a certainty, who will be partnering James Tomkins in the central defence. Jeffrey Schlupp is sidelined with a hamstring injury and is out. Patrick van Aanholt is likely to start in the left-back position.
Sakho has been a high-profile arrival from Liverpool but given his lack of first-team action with the Reds till now, Allardyce is expected to give him some time to settle in before using him in the games.
MIDFIELD
Allardyce has to settle with both Yohan Cabaye and Jason Puncheon in the double pivot. Cabaye has been underwhelming and has to improve considerably to keep his place intact. Things don’t look any better for Jason Puncheon either and Allardyce acknowledged after their humiliation against Sunderland that their midfield is quite permeable at times. While the manager awaits Milivojevic, his new recruit, to get the work permit, the experienced general of the club has to hold the mast.
ATTACK
Wilfred Zaha’s hugely anticipated return from the AFCON amounted to nothing as the winger could hardly make any impact in the last game. However, Allardyce is expected to stick with him on the right wing. James McArthur had been deployed on the wings last game, which remained hugely ineffective. We expect him to take the number 10 role this time.
Andros Townsend has found it hard to get first team action and we think it is time the manager trusts him on the left flank. Christian Benteke will be the lone striker up front.
