Crystal Palace will be hosting Watford this Saturday as they look to continue their winning run and possibly avoid relegation. Palace are currently in the 17th position with 25 points. They are leading by a point from the 18th placed Hull City. Watford hasn’t been in the best of forms lately and the Eagles could have a realistic chance of bagging all three points from the game.
Team News-
Crystal Palace- Among the crucial injuries feature new recruit Patrick van Aanholt. The Dutch full-back incurred an ankle injury last game and we expect Jefferey Schlupp to take his place. Long term injuries include left Papa N’Diaye Souare and centre forward Connor Wickham.
Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini and Chelsea loanee Loic Remy remain sidelined with a muscle injury. In all these injuries, a positive news for Allardyce would be the return of some long-term absentees. Goalkeeper Steven Mandanda and winger Bakary Sako have returned and should be in contention.
Watford- Among crucial and long-term injuries include Serie A signings, Mauro Zarate and Roberto Pereyra. Both have incurred a knee injury, which has pretty much ended their season. Centre-back Christian Kabasele is also sidelined with a hip injury.
A huge boost for the Italian manager would be the returning right-back Daryl Janmaat, who was out with a groin injury and goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. Both of them would be available for the fixture.
Predicted line-ups-
Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1)– Hennessey; Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, Schlupp; Cabaye, Milivojevic; Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend, Benteke
Watford (4-4-2)– Gomes; Britos, Kaboul, Prodl, Holebas; Niang, Behrami, Cleverley, Capoue; Okaka, Deeney
Key Players-
Crystal Palace- After numerous experiments and underwhelming displays, Palace’s two wingers, Andros Townsend and Wilfred Zaha, are firing in the exact manner they were supposed to. And Allardyce would expect the forwards to get them home once again against a Watford side, who are patchy in defence.
Christian Benteke is always a threat to any opponent, whether he is in form or not and with his wingers in good touch, he expects good service.
Watford- Both the forwards, Troy Deeney and Okaka, got goals last game and the manager isn’t very likely to change his setup this time too. Palace is at a delicate stage of their season and Mazzarri knows getting early goals would be enough to break their confidence. M’baye Niang will be another difficult player to deal with for Watford. The agile winger is also domineering in the air.
Odds
Crystal Palace @ 1.90
Draw @ 3.50
Watford @ 4.75
