With just one win in their last six games, Crystal Palace are currently just two points off the drop zone and Roy Hodgson has to work really hard to take them to safety this season. They are fresh from a victory over Huddersfield Town but have a tough task this weekend, when they welcome Liverpool to Selhurst Park in an early kick-off on Saturday.
The Reds beat Watford 5-0 before the break and are in the 3rd place, looking to cement their place in the top-4. Sadio Mane’s solitary goal was enough in the reverse fixture earlier this season for the Reds but Palace have been a sort of a bogey team for Liverpool, who will have to go full strength. The QF against Manchester City next week might see Jurgen Klopp rest a few players and Hodgson will believe that his side can take something from this tie. Here is the predicted lineup the Eagles might field for this clash:
Team News:
Palace have a number of first team stars ruled out for this game. Scott Dann, Jason Puncheon, Connor Wickham, Jeffery Schlupp, Julian Speroni and Bakary Sako are all out injured and will play no role this weekend. Wilfried Zaha picked up a knock in the last game and will be assessed before kickoff.
Expected lineup (4-4-2):
Defence:
With Speroni out injured, Wayne Hennessey is the best option on goal for Hodgson for this clash. James Tomkins has been effective at the back recently and should retain his place in the side. He should be partnered with Mamadou Sakho, who was effective against the Terriers in the last game. This will be the first time Sakho will face Liverpool.
Patrick van Aanholt has finally been used as a left-back and will retain his place in that role against the Reds while Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been superb on the other flank and should start at right-back.
Midfield:
Luka Milivojevic scored the second against Town in the last game and will be crucial for Palace’s chances in this game. He will start at the heart of the midfield alongside James McArthur, who is now a trusted first-team star for Hodgson.
Rube Loftus-Cheek was back in action last weekend and could walk into the midfield this weekend while Andros Townsend will keep his place on the right flank.
Attack:
Christian Benteke remains Hodgson’s best striker and should lead the line along with Andrew Sorloth, who put in a decent shift in the game against Chelsea.
Here is how they might line up:
