Southampton vs. Crystal Palace: Preview and predictions

As the busy festive period comes to an end, Southampton face Crystal Palace, just three days after the goalless draw with Manchester United.

The Saints’ first came of 2018 sees them play host to one of only four teams they’ve beaten this season – that was back when Palace were enduring their torrid start to the campaign.

Steven Davis was the only goalscorer in a game that was dominated by an impressive Mario Lemina. The Gabon international bossed proceedings in the middle of the park and Southampton fans will be hoping for a similar performance tonight.

Since the last time the two teams met though Palace have risen off the foot of the table and out of the relegation zone, with just one loss from their past five games showing a steady improvement in form.

The Saints meanwhile have picked up just two points from a possible 15 from their last five outings, with drubbings at the hands of both Leicester and Tottenham within the past three weeks. As a result, the Saints are way down in 15th, just two points clear of the drop zone.

With freshly-lined pockets following the Van Dijk sale, Southampton fans will be hoping their side can push on and bring in some fresh faces. Palace boss Roy Hodgson will certainly be thinking the same, in a bid to secure Premier League survival.

Why Southampton will win

Irregardless of previous form, the Saints will go into the match with a slight psychological advantage, having won the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park back at the start of the campaign.

Meanwhile Crystal Palace have won just once away from home all season, and another loss tonight would put on them par with Stoke for the worst away record in the league.

Southampton on the other hand have scored 13 of their 20 PL goals at St. Mary’s Stadium, with a stronger home form to match.

Why Crystal Palace will win

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The Saints could welcome back Ryan Bertrand tonight but as it stands they’ll go into the game without either of their star full-backs once again. The loss of the England international as well as Cedric has been a massive dent to the Saints’ hopes of picking up points.

Meanwhile the Saints are also without Charlie Austin for the next couple of months, leaving them with two out-of-form strikers that boast just three goals all campaign together.

Palace will also be able to play Wilfried Zaha, with the Ivorian unavailable the last time the top teams met. The winger, on his day, can be the best player on the pitch and with Southampton’s defensive fragility he could have a field day.

Team predictions

Southampton:

Goalkeeper: Alex McCarthy

Defenders: Jack Stephens, Maya Yoshida, Wesley Hoedt, Matt Targett

Midfielders: Mario Lemina, Steven Davis, Sofiane Boufal, Dusan Tadic, James Ward-Prowse

Striker: Manolo Gabbiadini

Crystal Palace:

Goalkeeper: Wayne Hennessey

Defenders: Timothy Fosu-Mensah, James Tomkins, Martin Kelly, Patrick van Aanholt

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye, Luka Milivojevic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Forwards: Andros Townsend, Wilfried Zaha, Christian Benteke

Predictions

The Saints should go into this with confidence after the last result but it won’t be a high-scoring affair. Southampton will snatch a fairly early, before doubling their advantage. A late goal from one of Palace’s dangerman will see a tense end to the game, before Pellegrino is celebrating at the final whistle.

Southampton 2-1 Crystal Palace

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