Two teams desperate for a win- Crystal Palace and Swansea City- will lock horns with each other on Saturday in the Premier League on match-day 13. Swansea find themselves bottom of the table after 12 games collecting just 6 points in the process. They parted ways with Francesco Guidolin, under whom they survived in the Premier League last season and started this campaign on a bright note. But things quickly fell apart as they failed to win a single game after that.
Bob Bradley came to the helm after the club axed Guidolin but the Swans have failed to buckle up under their new boss.
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are winless in their last six Premier League games losing the last five on the bounce. Pressure is increasing on the shoulders of Alan Pardew and he desperately needs to make the Eagles perform really soon. This is not the first time when the south London club have struggled and to be fair, no excuse is good enough for how the Eagles have fared of late. The owners backed Pardew on every aspect, gave him the resources too.
Here is the predicted Crystal Palace line-up against Swansea City in the must-win game.
Defence
With Steve Mandanda out with a knee injury, Wayne Hennessey will start under the bar. Joel Ward is likely to continue in the right-back position. Club captain Scott Dann will keep his place at the heart of the defence and is likely to be accompanied by James Tomkins. Martin Kelly will start at left-back with Pape Souare being ruled out for quite some time after hurting himself in a nasty car crash earlier this year.
Midfield
Despite Crystal Palace struggling so badly this season, James McArthur has been impressive for them in the middle of the park. The Scotsman was always known for his defensive qualities but this season, he has been impressive at the other end of the pitch too. With 4 Premier League goals already to his name, the 29-year-old has been the best player in a Palace shirt this season. The former Wigan man will keep his place in midfield. Yohan Cabaye is likely to accompany the Scot in the middle of the park.
Attack
Wilfred Zaha and Andros Townsend are certain starters on the two flanks. Jason Puncheon should continue in the number ten role. The Eagles’ club record signing Christian Benteke will start up front. The Belgian has impressed at Selhurst Park but in patches. He needs to pick up his game in order to bring the Eagles out of the danger.
