Pre-Match: Crystal Palace v Liverpool EPL (Sat 19th Dec 2020 12:30pm)

Another day, another match for the attacking champions. Former manager Roy Hodgson takes his turn at trying to outdo Jürgen Klopp in football. No question which team has more quality, but this one does have "letdown" written all over it following the fine performance by our side against Spurs on Wednesday. There's also the ongoing issue with wear and tear on our playing staff.

Training today of course did not include those who played Wednesday, but the photos from the session make me think we could be seeing quite a few changes for a match that kicks off about 60 hours after the previous one ended.

I expect Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita will be hoping to make a return to first team action this Saturday. Joel Matip also took part in today's training, so we'll see.

Ox and Keita HAVE to feature in this game somehow. Need fresh legs out there against a physical team like Palace.

Keita and Matip  possibly may start no chance Ox . 8 days rest after this game so no need for radical changes

Could be tricky...
I’m hoping firmino has injected himself with that bobby confidence after his last minute winner. We need him at his best. It’s no coincidence our front three have looked detached since bobby has been out of form.

I wouldn’t make too many changes. Our away form hasn’t been amazing so far, but still only one defeat all season so we should be confident in this game.

Alison
TAA
Robertson
Matip
Fabinho

Gini
Henderson
Jones

Salah
Mane
Firmino

I'd bring in Kieta for Gini and then play Matip if healthy. Use subs before then90th minutes this time.

Keita and Matip  possibly may start no chance Ox . 8 days rest after this game so no need for radical changes

I get your point that Jürgen doesn't have to leave anybody out for the sake of the following match, but when the next match is doesn't determine the player's fatigue level and injury risk for this game. That will be about how much each player has been playing in the week or two leading up to this one.

Oh I see that we’re going to that banana skin venue. With active and noisy fans too. I don’t need the players to turn up. I need their magic. One moment of brilliance from each of them. That’ll do for me. I’m hoping they don’t make London such a dreaded place to go to.

I'd bring in Kieta for Gini and then play Matip if healthy. Use subs before then90th minutes this time.

Was thinking the same. Gini had been immense this season but he needs a break.

Hendo, Jones and Keita midfield for me.

Oh I see that we’re going to that banana skin venue. With active and noisy fans too. I don’t need the players to turn up. I need their magic. One moment of brilliance from each of them. That’ll do for me. I’m hoping they don’t make London such a dreaded place to go to.

I don't think there will be any Palace fans as London goes into Tier 3 on Saturday 00:01. That could be an advantage to us.

I'm quite nervous about this game, our away form has been crap lately and Palace are a dangerous side, I've gone for a narrow 2-1 win to us.

I don't think there will be any Palace fans as London goes into Tier 3 on Saturday 00:01. That could be an advantage to us.

I'm quite nervous about this game, our away form has been crap lately and Palace are a dangerous side, I've gone for a narrow 2-1 win to us.

We’ve been in tier 3 since Wednesday morning, so deffo no fans

No benteke as well, just as he remembered how to score

Not sure Id change anything with an 8 day rest period after this. I would however expect to see the 3 subs being used and not just as time killing changes.

Keita and maybe Ox to bring energy with 25 to 15 to go for example

Be delighted with 3 points before Christmas, wouldnt be broken hearted with a draw

We’ve been in tier 3 since Wednesday morning, so deffo no fans

Nobody loves them then!

Time to pull further clear of the pack and then have 8 days off

Time to pull further clear of the pack and then have 8 days off

That would be nice wouldn’t it.. Palace will be a good test for us..

That would be nice wouldn’t it.. Palace will be a good test for us..

They have got good results as well recently so a good match on Saturday

Tricky fixture yes, but can the owl outwit Jürgen.
I don’t think so. If it was a boxing match, they’d have a punchers chance, but tactically a bit lacking.
They will have a few half chances, but I think we’ll have too much for them. 0:3 to the red men !

As with Spurs, their threat will come down their left side, with Zaha trying to get in behind Trent and expose our right CB. Keep that area reasonably quiet and we should have way too much for them everywhere else.

Although this game comes soon after the defeat of Spurs. I am feeling as optimistic as ever, going for a 3  1 win for the champions !

Saw on the after match show, 5 our next 8 league games are away from home. Our form has been pretty sh*t away so far, so this is going to be crucial that we get a win against CP, to put us in good stead ahead of the rest of this block of away fixtures.

I actually think Palace are quite a good side.

They're a much better side than Fulham and Villa and we've not had an away win for 3 months now in the League.

It all suggests a very tough afternoon. Think we need Mane to restart his season today.

Red Bird takes down the Owl and the Eagle.

Another football lesson for Woy me hopes.

Not sure i'd change the side in any way, maybe Matip in for Williams if he is fit but having said that it might not be so bad for Matip to sit this one out and take the rest for another week. I really like our midfield balance with Jones ahead of Gini and Henderson. I don't see Jürgen changing it, in fact i'm struggling to see many minutes for Keita if and when Thiago returns. Jones is ahead of him now and he's only going to get better. Nice problem for the manager to have!

Away form has been poor for a while now, need to put it right today. Spuds at Leicester so there is potentially a chance to put some daylight between us and the rest with a win today.

I actually think Palace are quite a good side.

They're a much better side than Fulham and Villa and we've not had an away win for 3 months now in the League.

It all suggests a very tough afternoon. Think we need Mane to restart his season today.

Read he has 6 in 6 Vs these so I'm hoping the good memories of scoring against them helps him refind his form.

At the moment his goals have really dried up and it seems to be getting to him with some snatchy finishing.

I think Curtis might come out of this one for Keita.

The lack of left back options a real worry until Millie is back.

This will be a tough game. Early Saturdays dont get the best out of us as it is, but away from home against a physical Palace side makes it even harder. Benteke being suspended is probably a blessing for them.

Tough game and it wont be pretty but we really could do with winning a few games in a row so an away win would be a big thing.

Oh I see that we’re going to that banana skin venue.

I thought this too but was surprised to find out on the radio this morning that we've actually won on our last 6 trips to Selhurst Park. Tough place to go no doubt but we've managed to weather the storm recently.

Think that 2014 game might still contribute to people's anxieties when we play there 

I thought this too but was surprised to find out on the radio this morning that we've actually won on our last 6 trips to Selhurst Park. Tough place to go no doubt but we've managed to weather the storm recently.

Think that 2014 game might still contribute to people's anxieties when we play there 

Yes that guame sticks in the mind

Benteke being out is huge, he scores in bursts. No fans is also big, as they make a noise, surprisingly for a London club.

Still think its one of the most difficult away fixtures, we never have an easy time there.

0-6

I’ve gone for a 2-1 win for the Redmen.. tough match this afternoon...