Only three points separate Palace with Norwich City going into the match at Selhurst Park with the relegation zone not a long way behind.
Most fans and pundits would have laughed at that sentence at the start of the season but now it is all but a reality. The expectation of a high finish, maybe even a European spot, piled onto the team and Alan Pardew at the start of the season probably jinxed the luck.
No longer considered the underdog never really works in our favour. At the start of the year, Palace lay fifth, ten places above Norwich. However, our run of fourteen games without a win has seen us plummet like a stone which makes this game so very important to the season.
After a draw and two wins the Canaries’ spirits will undoubtedly be high. Their late late win against Newcastle United last weekend was extremely important in their bid for survival and may prove a pivotal come the end of the season. Despite their good form, Norwich have lost six of their last seven away games while Palace have lost six in a row at SE25.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Emmanuel Adebayor’s fitness will demand a late test with James McArthur, Marouane Chamakh and Kwesi Appiah all still out. Yohan Cabaye and Connor Wicham have both been passed fit and expected to play.
Norwich City – Alexander Tettey is the main injury concern for Alex Neil although he will be depending upon a late fitness test for Russell Martin. If the latter misses out again, Andre Wisdom could start at right back with Neil destined to name the same side that beat Newcastle last weekend.
Action Replay
The reverse fixture at Carrow Road saw the Eagles take all three points in a 3-1 victory. A goal from Wilfried Zaha just before the break gave Palace the lead. Damien Delaney’s finish from a well worked corner doubled the lead for Palace but Nathan Redmond pulled one back for the Canaries with twenty minutes to go. Norwich could have made it 2-2 through a picturesque bicycle kick from Cameron Jerome, however, referee Simon Hooper believed the striker’s foot was high and disallowed the goal that surely would have been a contender for goal of the month. Debutant Yohan Cabaye sealed the win with a penalty in the last minute of the game, making his first match back in England a successful one.
Form Guide
- 8th August 2015: Norwich 1-3 Crystal Palace
- 1st January 2014: Crystal Palace 1-1 Norwich
- 30th November 2013: Norwich 1-0 Crystal Palace
- 26th July 2011: Crystal Palace 1-0 Norwich
- 29th January 2011: Crystal Palace 0-0 Norwich
- 19th October 2010: Norwich 1-2 Crystal Palace
Palace have lost four and draw two from their last six games in the Premier League, picking up only two points from a possible eighteen. Norwich have lost three, draw one and won two of their last six league matches picking up seven points.
Form Players (courtesy of Who Scored)
Robbie Brady (7.25), Yohan Cabaye (7.24), Yannick Bolasie (7.16), Scott Dann (7.02), Ryan Bennett (6.82).
One To Watch
Dieumerci Mbokani
Following his terrifying experience at Brussels’ Zaventem Airport during the terrorism attacks last month, Mbokani has been the driving force of the Canaries’ good recent form. Last weekend the six foot plus DR Congo striker won eight of his nine aerial duels, provided four key passes and had three efforts on goal, one of which put him on the score sheet with a stunner of a goal. Mbokani has proved important to Norwich in their last three games and will likely be so again on Saturday.
Predictions
Final league position – 18th
Norwich lack some quality in defence and experience at the top level both on and off the pitch. The signing of Steven Naismith from Everton increased their attacking options as well as experience but that may not be enough to save them from returning to the Championship. It is likely to be a straight fight between the East Anglian side and Sunderland to stay up. As Sam Allardyce has more experience in a relegation battle than Alex Neil which could end up being the Canaries downfall.
- TEB prediction – home win
- Toby Newton prediction (see link below) – draw
- Who Scored prediction – draw
Betting Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home – 23/20
- Draw – 23/10
- Away – 13/5
Find our what Canaries fan Toby Newton told TEB this week in The Norwich View.
