Crystal Palace have been handed a good opportunity, at least on paper, to get their form back on track, when they get a visit from Middlesbrough in the weekend when Premier League action resumes. Palace have been atrocious this season. In their last 18 matches, they have won twice and drawn twice, losing 14 times. The last calendar year was even worse where they won only 6 games. The sacking of Alan Pardew hasn’t helped matters and Sam Allardyce has started off on a worse note, if that was possible.
Palace have the players and they have the infrastructure and the ambition. But things just haven’t fallen into place and they are now joint bottom with Sunderland. Sam Allardyce needs to turn things around and fast. They will be up against a Middlesbrough side, who despite taking all the necessary steps have struggled to find a proper footing at the middle of the table and need to improve if they are to steer clear of the drop zone.
Allardyce will likely have all his new recruits fit to play and needs to get his combination right with the most important phase of the season coming up. The match against Boro is an extremely vital one and although on paper it might look to be one of the easier ones remaining, Allardyce can ill afford to be complacent right now.
PREDICTED CRYSTAL PALACE XI VS MIDDLESBROUGH (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Hennessey is likely to be in goal with Mandanda rated a doubt for the game. The keeper has to come up with the goods and at this stage of the season needs to be having a say on the results. Ward will be at right back and will look to put pressure on the opposite number. Dann might not make it in time for the match which will result in Tomkins continuing at centre-back but we might see a new partner alongside him in Sakho who is likely to be thrust into action now. Van Aanholt is likely to be at left-back with Schlupp another option.
MIDFIELD
Allardyce employed a 3-man midfield in the last game and might go with the same formula once again. In that case, Milivojevic looks likely to start flanked by Cabaye and Puncheon. McArthur might miss out to Cabaye who needs to step up now.
ATTACK
Townsend might be given another go on the left-wing while Zaha looks a certain starter. In the striker’s role, Benteke will be deployed to get the goals.
