Alan Pardew’s side have now lost four games in a row, the last two games being narrow defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United.
Good team performances aside, the Eagles will look to bounce back to winning ways against Liverpool at Anfield.
The home side have seemingly all but missed out on a top four spot and will most likely be caught up in the emotion of Steven Gerrard’s last game for Liverpool at home with reported sales of tickets topping the £2,000 mark. The Eagles will be looking to capitalise.
These two sides have met twice already this term after Palace drew Liverpool at home in the FA Cup 5th round. The reds ran out 2-1 winners and gained a measure of revenge for 3-1 league defeat earlier in the season after Rickie Lambert’s early goal was cancelled out by Dwight Gayle before Joe Ledley and Mile Jedinak secured all three points for Palace.
That very special free kick by Jedinak was voted the goal of the season at the Palace awards night at the Fairfield Halls on Wednesday.
Team News
Crystal Palace
Other than long term absentee Jerome Thomas (ankle), Alan Pardew is expected to have a fully fit squad to choose from for the trip to Anfield.
Liverpool
Liverpool are without striker Daniel Sturridge (hip) who recently travelled to the USA for a season ending operation. Frenchman Mamadou Sakho (ankle) is back in training and may face a late fitness test. Fellow defender John Flanagan is a long term absentee (knee).
One To Watch
Jordon Ibe (England)
Academy product Ibe spent most of last season and some of this out on loan in the Championship. He impressed enough that on his return to Liverpool he broke into the first team and had rave reviews both out on the wing and as a striker in the absence of Daniel Sturridge and lack of form from Italian Mario Balotelli. He is expected to have a big future in the game.
Form Guide
Palace have lost four and won two in their last six games but managed to score for the first time in three games courtesy of Jason Puncheon’s deflected free kick against Man United. Liverpool have only managed two wins and two draws in their last six games which has effectively cost them Champion’s league football for next season especially with the resurge in form by rivals Manchester United.
In the last six games between the two Palace have the upper hand with three wins to Liverpool’s two. In those six only one has been at Anfield which ended up a 3-1 win for the hosts with goals from Suarez, Sturridge and Gerrard. The consolation was a header from Gayle.
Prediction
Very little is riding on the result of this game with the hosts out of Champion’s League contention and Palace safe from an end of season battle for survival. It will be an emotional evening for the home fans with their beloved midfielder making his last appearance at Anfield. Many are predicting a farewell goal for the former England midfielder and who would bet against that with John Moss in charge of the game.
- EPL Index prediction – home win
- Sky Sports Pundit Paul Merson’s prediction – home win
- Who Scored prediction – home win
- My prediction – away win
- Betting odds (courtesy of Paddy Power) – home 4/9 – draw 7/2 – away 13/2. Other odds available are Gerrard to score anytime 6/4 while a penalty to be scored in the game is 7/2.
