Liverpool Visit Struggling Crystal Palace: Premier League Clash Preview | OneFootball

Crystal Palace v Liverpool – Premier League Preview

Date – 5th October 2024

Venue – Selhurst Park

Kick off – 12.30hrs

The impressive midweek win over visiting Italian outfit, Bologna (2-0), is now followed by a trip to London where Crystal Palace will host the Premier League leaders for this Saturday lunch time kick off. The infamous 12.30 start time must be encountered yet again (for Liverpool), however, the reds opening day trip to Ipswich was also a game undertaken at the time, one which ended in a 0-2 victory for Arne Slot’s new side. Palace have made a poor start to the season and will be praying for some for consistency going forward, starting with this weekend’s encounter.

Photo: IMAGO

The Crystal Palace Availability

In terms of availability, Chadi Riad Dnanou, Christopher Richards, Cheick Doucoure, and Rob Holding are all out, whereas Matheus Franca de Oliveira remains a doubt.

Regarding early season form, the Eagles manager, Oliver Glasner, saw his side lose at Danno Everton last Saturday, as the Toffees won by a vital 2-1 score line. prior to that poor showing, a 0-0 draw was played out at Selhurst Park, as Manchester United gained a valuable point. Progression in the EFL Cup third round was achieved by the south London club, following a 1-2 away win over QPR, just days after a 2-2 draw at home to Leicester. Following their six games played, a lowly position of 18th in the Premier division is currently held by last season’s overachievers, with only three points garnered.

A predicted line up for the home team is listed below, in a 3-4-3 formation. The mindset will be to release the superb talents of Eberechi Eze, and Eddie Nketiah, as Jean-Philippe Mateta battles with the towering central defenders on their opponents. Adam Wharton is the superb operator who is perhaps struggling to maintain his glittering reputation; however, this game could act as an audition for the Anfield giants and he will look to overcome the dominance of Liverpool’s vibrant midfield.

GK – Dean Henderson

RWB – Daniel Muñoz

RCB – Maxence Lacroix

CB – Marc Guéhi

LCB – Jefferson Lerma

LWB – Tyrick Mitchell

CDM – Adam Wharton

CM – Daichi Kamada

RF – Eddie Nketiah

CF – Jean-Philippe Mateta

LF – Eberechi Eze

The Liverpool Availability

In terms of injures, Harvey Elliott remains sidelined until late October with a fractured foot, whereas Federico will be out for a couple of weeks with a minor complaint.

Photo: IMAGO

Regarding recent form, the recent midweek Champions League tie saw Bologna beaten 2-0 at Anfield, after Slot’s men had overcome an aggressive Wolves team last weekend by securing a 1-2 away win. That Premier League encounter came days after the reds had produced a wonderful 5-1 performance against West Ham (at Anfield) in the EFL Cup third round, following a comprehensive 3-0 victory at home to Bournemouth. The reds are currently top of the Premier League after amassing a tremendous fifteen points from six games played.

Below is the team I believe the Dutch boss, Arne Slot, will start for this next away encounter. The new Head Coach is very much an advocate of fielding his strongest side at every opportunity, therefore, I see only a couple of changes (at most) from that which started on Wednesday night.

GK – Alisson Becker

RB – Trent Alexander Arnold

RCB – Ibrahima Konaté

LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB – Andy Robertson

CM – Ryan Gravenberch

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

ACM – Dominik Szoboszlai

RF – Mohamed Salah

CF – Diogo Jota

LF – Cody Gakpo

How Will This Contest Play Out

Liverpool will have to be prepared for a potential low block initiative and strong resistance, by yet another team that is already looking destined for a season long relegation battle. The powerful defensive unit and vibrant midfield of the visitors will need to be switched on from the outset, as they look to breakthrough and force out a team destined to remain dogmatic.

I believe that Liverpool’s quality will shine through and that a solid win can be achieved through quick patterns of play and smart counter pressing. Deliveries from wide will need to be clinical, which is why I see the reds vice-captain as the man to watch.

Player to watch – Trent Alexander Arnold

Score Prediction;

Crystal Palace 0 – 2 Liverpool

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Steven Smith