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Crystal Palace meet Liverpool at Selhurst Park in a midtable Premier League clash in Saturday Night Football.
Victory would see Palace go 11th in the table but only if Aston Villa lose in one of the early kick-offs, whilst Liverpool can go seventh with a win.
Team News
James Tomkins is set to return for Palace after he missed their 1-1 draw at Brentford for personal reasons.
Joel Ward (calf), Tyrick Mitchell (cramp) and Wilfried Zaha (hamstring) are doubts but could be handed late fitness tests.
Nathan Ferguson (foot) remains absent but is joined on the sidelines by goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone who has suffered a calf injury.
Liverpool could be without defender, Joe Gomez after he suffered a hamstring injury during their disastrous 5-2 Champions League defeat at home to Real Madrid in midweek.
Calvin Ramsay (knee), Ibrahima Konate (muscle), Thiago Alcantara (hip), Arthur Melo (thigh) and Luis Diaz (knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Palace host Liverpool on Saturday 25 February at Selhurst Park in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off, live on Sky Sports in UK.
Stat Attack
- Palace are winless in their last 11 league meetings against Liverpool (D1, L10).
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last seven league visits to Palace (W7).
- Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino has scored three goals in two of his last three away appearances against Palace.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta has been utilised as a substitute in more league games this season than any other Palace player (14).
- Mohamed Salah has been involved in 13 league goals for Liverpool this season, having scored eight goals and provided five assists.
Prediction
Having came close to ending a seven-match winless run in all competitions after taking the lead at Brentford last weekend, Palace should feel heartened by their overall performance where they defended well and showed more positivity on the attack despite wasteful end product.
Patrick Vieira’s Eagles though will be disappointed with how they let their defensive focus slip in the closing moments to concede a late equaliser, yet this game is a huge chance for them to regroup and chase their best chance at beating Liverpool in years.
Liverpool meanwhile seemed to be on an upturn with wins in their last two league matches, yet their defensive vulnerability was publicly exposed by Real Madrid in midweek which raises fresh questions over their confidence coming into this match.
The first goal therefore will be key because if Liverpool score first, I can’t see them losing this given their form against Palace, but if the Eagles take the lead then I can see a score draw coming if they can target Liverpool’s defence with Zaha potentially back in contention.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Liverpool
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