Welcome back to another season of the Premier League.
It has been an incredibly exciting summer for Palace and supporters will be eager to see a season of football where the Eagles should not be worried about looking down.
Alan Pardew’s side travel to newly promoted Norwich City who made their return to the Premier League through the play-offs at the first time of asking. Guided by boss Alex Neil, the Canaries overcame Middlesbrough 2-0 at Wembley including a goal from former Palace striker Cameron Jerome.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Julian Speroni will miss the first few weeks of the season after suffering a damaged ligament in one of his fingers. Strikers Frazier Campell and Marouane Chamakh will both miss out with hamstring problems. All of Palace’s summer signings should be in the squad including record signing Yohan Cabaye.
Norwich City – New signing Yussuf Mulumbu (broken metatarsal) will miss the first few weeks of the season. Defenders Martin Olsson (shoulder) and Kyle Lafferty (Knee) are also sidelined.
Action Replay
Palace have lost just two of their last seven visits to Carrow Road. They have also lost all four of their opening day games while the Canaries have not been able to win any of their twelve including a 1-1 draw with the Eagles back in 2004.
- 30th November 2013: Norwich City 1-0 Crystal Palace. A goal from Gary Hooper on the half hour was enough to win all three points for the Canaries.
- 1st January 2014: Crystal Palace 1-1 Norwich City. A penalty from Jason Puncheon just before half time secured a point for the Eagles.
One to watch
Robbie Brady – midfielder
The former Manchester United winger has recently made an £8 million move from Hull City after making 114 appearances for the Tigers scoring ten goals. A fresh start for the Irishman may see his goal tally improve as the Ireland international provides a wealth of experience to a Norwich City team that will find it another battle to survive in England’s top flight.
Predictions
Final league position – 18th
The Canaries have bounced back between the Championship and Premier League a few times now and it is hard to look past Manager Alex Neil’s lack of experience in managing in the top division. Scoring goals was a problem for Norwich last time around and not much has been done to improve this and will be an area for improvement for the Scotsman.
- TEB prediction – away win
- Jack Reeve prediction (TalkNorwichCity) – draw
- Mark Lawrenson prediction (BBC Sport) – away win
Betting Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home win 8/5
- Draw 9/4
- Away win 9/5
