Crystal Palace vs. Southampton: Preview and predictions
By Ben Whitlock
Saints face their second away game of the season this Saturday as they head to Selhurst Park to play Crystal Palace in the days early kick off.
It has been a big week for Crystal Palace, as they decided to sack manager Frank De Boer after just four games in charge.
Sitting bottom of the table, Palace are yet to score a league goal this campaign, and are looking to turn their season around having appointed ex England manager Roy Hodgson as their new boss.
Saints are going in to this game on the back of a bitterly disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Watford last week, and there is a growing concern about the lack of goals they are scoring. The first attempt Saints had on target came in the 92nd minute when Cedric let fly from 35 yards. Mauricio Pellegrino’s men will have to start finding the net soon in order to become a contender for European football once again.
Palace’s deadline day signing Mamadou Sakho could be given his first start of the season having spent last week with the development.
As for the Saints they will have to decide on whether to bring back Virgil van Dijk to first team action for the first time this campaign, after his 90 minutes for the U-23 side this week.
Why Southampton will win
In short, Palace have been inefficient in front of goal so far this campaign. No goals in four is even worse than Southampton’s return so far this campaign, and with Wilfried Zaha unlikely to feature Palace will be again be significantly weaker.
Christian Benteke has looked uninterested so far and with van Dijk potentially partnering Wesley Hoedt in the heart of defence, the Belgian forward could have another bad day at the office.
Why Crystal Palace will win
Facing a team that have recently sacked their manager is never easy, and Saints will have to prepare for a tough game against a side that have a lot to prove, with individuals fighting for their place under their new boss.
The hosts will be looking to get their third successive home victory against Southampton, and put their first points of the season on the board. Saints will be looking to stop their dismal form in front of goal, having failed to score in nine of the last 12 Premier League games.
Team Predictions
Crystal Palace:
Goalkeeper: Wayne Hennessey
Defence: Joel Ward, Timothy Fosu Mensah, Scott Dann, Jeffrey Schlupp
Midfielders: James McArthur, Yohan Cabaye, Jason Puncheon, Jairo Riedewald, Andros Townsend
Striker: Christian Benteke
Southampton:
Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster
Defence: Cedric Soares, Virgil van Dijk, Wesley Hoedt, Ryan Bertrand
Midfielders: Steven Davis, Oriol Romeu, Mario Lemina, Dusan Tadic, Nathan Redmond
Striker: Manolo Gabbiadini
Verdict
While Saints should be favourites to win, they will have to be aware of the dangers Crystal Palace posses. If Saints don’t score at least once in this game then it would be a huge concern for the team and would be a massive area that will need improving.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Southampton