Palace travel to Aston Villa in the same fashion as last season, knowing a win will take them out of the bottom three as the festival fixtures draw to a close.
A goalless draw away at Queens Park Rangers was not enough to see the Eagles out of the relegation zone as Keith Millen was bemused by the fact that they were not awarded a late penalty when Joey Barton brought Fraizer Campbell down in the dying seconds of the game.
A Dwight Gayle goal was enough to secure the victory for Palace at Villa Park on Boxing Day last year. Keith Millen will be in charge for the game regardless of any appointment of a manager that may come in the next few days. Alan Pardew is expected to take the hot seat at Selhurst Park.
Aston Villa welcome a Palace side they faced only a few weeks ago as the fixtures begin the process of repeating themselves. Once again a solitary goal proved the winner as Christian Benteke’s strike in the first half secured the points for the visitors in a game Palace dominated.
Team news
Aston Villa – The home side will be without England midfielder Fabian Delph through suspension. It is quite an injury list for Villa with Joe Cole, Liber Kozak, Phillipe Senderos, Ashley Westwood, Nathan Baker, Tom Cleverley and Ciaran Clark all likely to miss this one. Kieran Richardson returns to squad after suspension while the red card for Gabriel Agbonlahor was rescinded.
Crystal Palace – Mile Jedinak will miss out as he heads off to join up with Australia squad ahead of the Asia Cup which will see the Eagles skipper miss at least the next three games if not more should Australia qualify for the knockout berth of the tournament. Marouane Chamakh is still missing from the squad and is Palace’s only other absentee.
Form Guide
Palace have three points from three draws in the last five games. In contrast Villa have five points from their last five games with one win and two draws. That win was at Selhurst Park.
One To Watch
Christian Benteke. Striker. Age 24. Belgian. Goals 2. Assists 1. Average rating 6.65.
The man who scored the only goal in the reverse fixture is my one to watch.. The Belgian was the clear difference between the two sides in December and may prove so again. He offers a constant threat at the top of a talented Villa midfield and as he returns to fitness from the injury that cost him his place at the World Cup, he is out to prove why he is worth the £20m price tag that Paul Lambert has labelled him with to fend off any potential January suitors.
Predictions
Aston Villa to finish 15th.
As long as Benteke stays fit then I expect Villa to finish just ahead of the relegation scrap but it is likely to be close. If their main striking talent is sold in January or suffers another injury, that could very well put them in trouble. Lambert has his work cut out and his reliance on the big Belgian is the key.
EPL Index prediction – home win
Who Scored prediction – home win
My prediction – away win
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