Southampton vs Crystal Palace Preview: Team news, analysis, predictions

Southampton host Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon and are looking to make it three wins from three Premier League games.

Two successive away victories over Aston Villa and Chelsea have seen Saints bounce up to 14th place in the table and put pressure on the other teams around them.

However, they have the joint-worst home record in the top-flight this season and will need to improve their form at St Mary’s to overcome today’s opponents.

Palace have been steady again this season and sit 9th currently with 26 points after seven wins and five draws so far.

This fixture last season saw Saints rescue a draw late on through a James Ward-Prowse goal – the midfielder then playing a huge part in getting Wilfried Zaha sent off three minutes from time.

Team News

Saints will be without striker Michael Obafemi this afternoon after his superb opening goal at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

The youngster will not be risked by Ralph Hasenhuttl after the packed recent schedule, whilst Shane Long, Moussa Djenepo and Yan Valery may not recover in time.

Crystal Palace will be without a host of first-team players as they make the trip to the South Coast.

Each of Christian Benteke, Patrick Van Aanholt, Cheikhou Kouyate, Andros Townsend, Gary Cahill, Joel Ward, Scott Dann and Jeffrey Schlupp could miss out.

More from Saints Marching

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• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

Why Southampton will win

The Saints side has looked like a well oiled machine in the last two games and the players seem to be clear on their roles now.

The first-choice 11 looks to have the right men in the right positions and there were some very impressive performances against Chelsea on Thursday.

Despite form at St Mary’s being worse than their away record this season, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side will be determined to turn things around at home – starting today.

Predicted Saints line-up

Alex McCarthy, Cedric, Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Ryan Bertrand, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Redmond, Stuart Armstrong, Che Adams, Danny Ings

Why Crystal Palace will win

Despite his reputation as an old school manager, it is admirable how Roy Hodgson keeps Palace ticking in the modern Premier League.

Much of their best play comes through individual brilliance from the likes of Wilfried Zaha, whilst an unbelievable goal from Jordan Ayew on Boxing Day saw them beat West Ham.

They will also know that frustrating the St Mary’s crowd in the early stages and using the pace in their side to counter attack could see them take advantage of Saints’ poor home record.

Predicted Palace line-up

Vicente Guaita, Martin Kelly, James Tomkins, Mamadou Sakho, Jairo Riedewald, Luka Milivojevic, James McCarthy, James McArthur, Max Meyer, Wilfried Zaha, Jordan Ayew

Predicted score: Saints 2-1 Palace