These two sides meet each other this weekend for the third time this season after being drawn together in the fourth round of the FA Cup in January.
The Potters will perhaps be glad to see the back of the Eagles and the season as they are destined to finish in or around tenth place in the Premier League. That in itself is no mean feat but Mark Hughes was arguably expecting more from his team but a loss of form of late has put paid to a higher finish.
Before their draw with relegation threatened Sunderland last weekend, Stoke had alarmingly shipped twelve goals in three consecutive games against Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City.
As for the Eagles, mathematical safety is the key with two games left to play although other results across the weekend may well settle any lingering doubts. That must be the aim for Alan Pardew and his team before thoughts can turn to the FA Cup final in two weeks time.
The recall of young academy player Sullay KaiKai from his successful loan spell at Shrewsbury Town suggests that he may see some game time in either of the remaining two league games.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Yannick Bolasie has been suffering with an illness but is expected to feature as are Scott Dann and Mile Jedinak who are both recovering from knocks. Wilfried Zaha (muscular) is expected to miss out along with long term absentees Brede Hangeland (knock), Marouane Chamakh (groin) and Kwesi Appiah (knee).
Stoke City – Marko Arnautovic (thigh) and Shay Given (groin) are both slight doubts ahead of the game but Ibrahim Afellay (knee), Jack Butland (ankle), Glen Johnson (knee) and Marc Wilson (knee) all miss out.
Action Replay
The last meeting between the two was in the FA Cup at Selhurst Park back in January. In what was a tight contest, an early goal from Wilfried Zaha after a skilful run was enough to settle the tie in the Eagles favour. It was a similar result in the Premier League before Christmas when a brilliant long range effort from Chung-yong Lee in the final minutes. The result was infamously the last win in the league for the Eagles until they beat Norwich in April. It was also the last game for Yannick Bolasie before an injury lay off.
Form Guide
The last six games between the sides;
- 30th January 2016: Crystal Palace 1-0 Stoke City
- 19th December 2015: Stoke City 2-1 Crystal Palace
- 21st March 2015: Stoke City 1-2 Crystal Palace
- 13th December 2014: Crystal Palace 1-1 Stoke City
- 18th January 2014: Crystal Palace 1-0 Stoke City
- 24th August 2013: Stoke City 2-1 Crystal Palace
In the last six Premier League games Stoke have managed one win and two draws while Palace have faired marginally better with one win and three draws.
Form Players (courtesy of Who Scored)
Yohan Cabaye (7.27), Yannick Bolasie (7.12), Scott Dann (7.06), Marko Arnautovic (7.06), Erik Pieters (7.01), Philipp Wollscheid (7.00)
One To Watch
Giannelli Imbula
The French defensive midfielder signed for the club at the end of the January transfer window in a five year deal costing the club a record £18.3 million. He first made his name at Guingamp after representing a number of clubs at youth level, including Paris Saint Germain. The twenty-three year old went on to play for Marseille and then Porto from where Stoke signed him from. Even though he was born in Vilvoorde, Belgium he has represented France at youth level.
Predictions
Final league position – 10th
It is destined to be a finish in mid-table obscurity for the Potters even though it promised so much at one point. Injuries have been tough on Mark Hughes’ side this season which is certainly something that we can relate to and the summer cannot come quick enough for them. There is a view that next season will be make or break for Hughes as the big names have failed to carry the team to a higher finish in the Premier League so the summer promises to be an intriguing one for Potters fans.
- TEB prediction – home win
- The Bear Pit TV prediction (see link below) – home win
- Who Scored prediction – draw
Betting Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home – 21/20
- Draw – 12/15
- Away – 11/4
- Both teams scoring – 8/11
If you like a flutter then head over to Accumulator Tips for the best odds, free bets, sign up offers and promotions from the best online bookmakers.
Find out what the guys at The Bear Pit TV told TEB this week in The Stoke View.
