Despite the recent setback to West Ham United, Crystal Palace sit in a comfortable sixth position in the Barclays Premier League after nine games. Most Eagles supporters would surely have settled for that if someone had said before the opening weekend, that their team would be sitting above the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool with just under one quarter of the season completed?
The hard work begins now for Alan Pardew and his staff though, as numerous teams over the years start the season very well, but then fade away into mid-table mediocrity. Palace now have a real identity in the Premier League as Selhurst Park is a tough place to go and win for any team. The Eagles are now rated as 4/1 to finish their league campaign in the top six.
Here we will look at some of the crucial upcoming matches that could help make or break the Eagles’ hopes of European nights in 2016.
Leicester (A) 24/10/15
A trip to the King Power Stadium awaits for Palace this coming Saturday as the Eagles take on fellow high-flyers, Leicester City. A solitary Joe Ledley goal was enough to see the Eagles home back in February and a similar outcome would do just fine at the weekend. Palace must keep Leicester’s in-form England striker, Jamie Vardy quiet as the Premier League’s leading goalscorer hit another two (nine for the season) last weekend in a 2-2 stalemate at Southampton. A high scoring game is likely in this fixture as Leicester fans have already seen twenty shots hit the net in just four league home games this term.
Manchester United (H) 31/10/15
Palace have already played four of the Premier League’s alleged ‘big six’ teams and Manchester United roll into town for a Halloween clash next Saturday afternoon. With just three points gained from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur so far this season, the Eagles must seek something from this fixture against an, at times, inconsistent United. Marouane Fellaini scored the winner back in May as United scrambled a 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park. This contest is likely to be similar to an away game for Palace as United tend to control the majority of the possession but fast counter attacks are a trademark that Pardew’s men can often use to great effect.
Liverpool (A) 08/11/15
The following Sunday sees Pardew and his side take the trip to Anfield to face Jurgen Klopp and his new team, Liverpool. Palace fans will be hoping for a similar outcome to the same fixture from last season with the Eagles running out comfortable 3-1 winners. Liverpool will still be a ‘work in progress’ for the foreseeable future under their new German chief, and that in itself offers hope for Palace in this fixture. Liverpool are obvious rivals for a European place, and it is a contest that the Eagles will be hoping to get something from.
Everton (A) 07/12/15
Two home games against Sunderland and Newcastle United follow the Anfield trip, but then another Merseyside journey awaits with Everton in a live Monday night Sky game. The last two meetings at Goodison Park have seen Palace come away with the spoils, both 3-2 wins, and that would obviously be very welcome once again. The Toffees are another likely contender who will be vying with Palace for the European spots at the end of the season, so this fixture is a vitally important game to avoid defeat.
Southampton (H) 12/12/15
This contest will have already been pinpointed by Pardew as his team must look at reversing the recent trend in this fixture. Southampton have won the last four Premier League meetings between the two sides. The Saints are a strong outfit, with the likes of Pelle, Mane and Tadic forming an impressive attacking line-up. Palace will have to be at their best in this game if they are to stop the bogey run going even further.
