Crystal Palace v Liverpool – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Crystal Palace face Liverpool in the English Premier League in the early kickoff on Saturday. The Eagles are in freefall after five losses in the last seven matches. The Reds are 14 matches vs Palace without losing in all competitions.

Crystal Palace Form

Palace are in dire form right now. Their only win in the last eight fixtures was a 2-0 victory at Burnley. They have lost five of their last seven with eight goals conceded in the last four. They lost 4-0 at Newcastle and 2-1 at home to Tottenham prior to the Burnley victory.

Since that win, they’ve lost 3-2 at home to Everton and then 2-1 at Luton Town. A 1-1 draw at West Ham was a positive result but it proved a false dawn. On Wednesday, Crystal Palace lost 2-0 at home to Bournemouth. It was a tight game with the Cherries only killed off in injury time but still a deserved defeat.

Crystal Palace Team News

Roy Hodgson is without two absolutely key players Eberechi Eze and Cheick Doucoure. Michael Olise has returned to ease the loss of Eze, but Doucoure’s spot has gone to central defender Chris Richards in the last two matches.

Another serious doubt is Tyrick Mitchell after his injury in midweek. Nathaniel Clyne may need to deputise at the left back. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson and forward Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are both ruled out for this one.

Crystal Palace Motivation

Palace would take a point in this match. Hodgson will set his side up to be hard to beat.

Confidence is low but the crowd will be behind the Eagles and a draw would feel like a win in the current form.

Liverpool Form

Klopp’s team started this campaign with seven wins in their first eight matches across the league and Cups. After losing 2-1 with nine men in the 96th minute vs Tottenham, they won five of the next six fixtures. A 1-1 draw at Luton was a disappointing result and performance but they responded in the league by cruising 3-0 past Brentford.

Next up was a 1-1 draw away at Man City having trailed 1-0. Three wins have followed that solid point. They thrashed LASK 4-0 in the Europa League and beat Fulham 4-3 in a thrilling league win thanks to 87th and 88th-minute goals. In midweek, they made heavy weather of beating Sheffield United 2-0 away as the match was finally sealed in added time.

Liverpool Team News

Jurgen Klopp is still set to be without Alisson in goal for this one. The big blow last week was losing Joel Matip to a serious knee injury for the next nine months.

Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara, and Andy Robertson remain absent. Diogo Jota has an outside chance of being available whilst Alexis Mac Allister has a knee complaint and is 50-50.

Liverpool Motivation

The Reds have drawn four of their eight away matches this season and will be determined to win on their travels.

Liverpool are just two points off Arsenal and will go top if they win this match, for a few hours at least.

Key Stats

Crystal Palace have lost 5 of their last 7 matches

Palace have taken just 5 points from 7 home EPL matches this season (1 win, 2 draws, 5 losses)

Liverpool have won 4 of their last 5 matches (14 goals scored)

Liverpool are undefeated in their last 14 matches vs Crystal Palace (all competitions).

Liverpool have kept clean sheets in 6 of their last 8 matches against Palace (all competitions).

Verdict

Right now, Palace are struggling in both directions due to some crucial injuries. Liverpool are playing well and are scoring freely. Mo Salah feels due for a goal or two after firing two blanks.

Best Bet: Liverpool win to zero at 2.70

Alternative Bet: Liverpool win and Salah score anytime at 2.81

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis