HomeTeams - PLCrystal PalaceCrystal Palace vs Liverpool Preview | Team News, Stats & Key Men

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool Preview | Team News, Stats & Key Men

Liverpool take on Crystal Palace this Sunday at Selhurst Park. The biggest problem Liverpool has been facing under Jurgen Klopp is their inconsistency. Liverpool’s inconsistency this season has been supremely consistent. Every outstanding result which promises a new dawn, has been either followed or preceded by a shocker. The Reds simply can’t do back to back excellence, which is why Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace is so significant.

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Crystal Palace are faced with a tremendously challenging end to the season in which eight out of their ten final matches involve clubs from the top half of the table, including all title chasers. As it seems, their season will be decided in matches against Norwich (home) and Newcastle (away). Pardew must turn-around the league form in order to bring some security to his position in the dugout.
Team News

Crystal Palace

Palace are without Kwesi Appiah, James McArthur and Jason Puncheon are out, while Pape Souare is available following suspension. Crystal Palace duo Connor Wickham and Wayne Hennessey are both doubtful for Sunday’s game and will be monitored.

Liverpool

Liverpool will be without Lucas Leiva for the trip to Crystal Palace this weekend after the midfielder was ruled out for 5 to 6 weeks with a thigh injury. The Brazilian, who has been deputising at centre-half for Jurgen Klopp’s side in recent months, aggravated the problem during Sunday’s Capital One Cup final defeat to Manchester City. Lucas subsequently missed the 3-0 league victory over City on Wednesday night and was replaced in the line-up by fit-again Dejan Lovren.
Mamadou Sakho, who was substituted early on during Sunday’s final after clashing heads with team-mate Emre Can, has returned to training and is available for selection at Selhurst Park.

Interesting Facts

  • The Eagles are the only side in the top four divisions of English football without a league win in 2016.
  • Palace are winless in 11 league games (D4, L7).
  • They have also failed to win five consecutive top-flight home games, losing the last four.
  • Adam Lallana has scored three goals in his last four Premier League games – as many as in his previous 37 appearances.
  • James Milner has not been on the losing side in any of the 41 Premier League matches in which he has scored – only Darius Vassell (46 games) has a superior record.
  • Philippe Coutinho could make his 100th Premier League appearance.

League Head to Head

08/11/2015 Premier League 2015/2016 Liverpool 1 – 2 Crystal Palace

16/05/2015 Premier League 2014/2015 Liverpool 1 – 3 Crystal Palace

14/02/2015 FA Cup 2014/2015 Crystal Palace 1 – 2 Liverpool

23/11/2014 Premier League 2014/2015 Crystal Palace 3 – 1 Liverpool

05/05/2014 Premier League 2013/2014 Crystal Palace 3 – 3 Liverpool

05/10/2013 Premier League 2013/2014 Liverpool 3 – 1 Crystal Palace

Key Players

Crystal Palace – Scott Dann

Dann is currently joint top goalscorer at Palace this season with five. That’s impressive not only from his position on the pitch but also for a club sitting mid-table. His main position is centre-back, but if needed, Dann is also capable of scoring a last-gasp equaliser or winner. He is versatile enough, and can be lofted forward in attack to cause disruption. He has done it the odd time with Palace, and he doesn’t have a bad first touch either for a big man. Last Sunday at Tottenham when a long ball was pumped forward and Dann was further forward, he brought down the ball with an exquisite first touch before looking for a team-mate with a beautifully-weighted pass.

Liverpool – Roberto Firmino

Firmino has been continuing his brilliant form, and in the game against Manchester City, he scored a goal, an assist and about two hundred mesmeric touches. When this guy’s good, he’s really good. The Brazilian floated behind Origi, interchanging exceptionally with Lallana. His goal came in the second, side-footing into the corner of Hart’s net. All Firmino’s goals have been in the league, unlike the others who have scored in cup competitions too. Firmino is one clear of Benteke in the league. Firmino’s overall record of seven league goals and eight assists, with 11 games remaining, is a good return for his first season in England.

Prediction

The match is likely to end up in a 2-0 victory for Liverpool over Palace.

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