After the success at Selhurst Park last weekend, Palace travel to Hull in buoyant mood but all too aware that there is plenty more still to do.
The sweeping aside of high flying Southampton surprised many but more importantly ended a torrid run of results that had put manager Alan Pardew right in the firing line. This match up at the KCOM Stadium is the final from a group of three games that many had predicted would seal the fate of Pardew and nothing less than five or six points from them would do.
Much like the last time the opposition were in the top division, Hull are in a bit of disarray at the moment. The loss of Steve Bruce was a big set back and the delay in appointing Mike Phelan suggested the owners did not have complete faith in him. Since their early season form, they have plummeted down the table and now find themselves in the bottom three.
With ownership problems continuing even with the hope of a takeover on the horizon, it has not been a fun return to the top table for fans of the club. Palace will be looking to take advantage in a bid to build on what was a fantastic three points in South London last time out.
TEAM NEWS
CRYSTAL PALACE – Connor Wickham (knee), Steve Mandanda (knee), Jonathan Benteke (knee) and Pape Souare (leg) are all out. This game could still be too early for Loic Remy (calf) who has yet to make his Palace debut.
HULL CITY – Abel Hernandez (hernia), Will Keane (knee), Moses Odubajo (knee), Alex Bruce (Achilles) and Greg Luer (knee) all miss out while Shaun Maloney (back) is a slight doubt.
ACTION REPLAY
The last meeting between these two sides took place at the end of April 2015 at Selhurst Park as the visitors were fighting for their Premier league lives. Dame N’Doye gave Hull the lead shortly into the second half and he added a second in the dying minutes to secure all three points.
FORM GUIDE
Last FIVE meetings between the two sides;
- 25/04/2015: Crystal Palace 0-2 Hull City
- 04/10/2014: Hull City 2-0 Crystal Palace
- 28/01/2014: Crystal Palace 1-0 Hull City
- 23/11/2013: Hull City 0-1 Crystal Palace
- 05/03/2013: Crystal Palace 4-2 Hull City
Last FIVE results for Palace;
- 03/12/2016: Crystal Palace 3-0 Southampton
- 26/11/2016: Swansea City 5-4 Crystal Palace
- 19/11/2016: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester City
- 05/11/2016: Burnley 3-2 Crystal Palace
- 29/10/2016: Crystal Palace 2-4 Liverpool
Last FIVE results for Hull;
- 05/12/2016: Middlesbrough 1-0 Hull City
- 29/11/2016: Hull City 1-1 Newcastle United
- 26/11/2016: Hull City 1-1 West Bromwich Albion
- 19/11/2016: Sunderland 3-0 Hull City
- 06/11/2016: Hull City 2-1 Southampton
FORM PLAYERS (courtesy of Who Scored)
Top two rated players from each team so far this season;
- Christian Benteke (7.66)
- Wilfried Zaha (7.59)
- Curtis Davies (7.18)
- Robert Snodgrass (6.87)
ONE TO WATCH
ROBERT SNODGRASS
The Scottish international has been a shining light for Hull this season having been among the goals on Hull’s return to the top flight. The midfielder started his career at Livingston, making his first team debut in 2003. He had a spell on loan at Stirling Albion in 2007 but made 79 appearances for Livingston, scoring 15 goals. After failing to impress in a trial at Barnsley, the 29 year old signed for fellow Yorkshire club Leeds United in 2008 and it was there that he started to be noticed. A move to Norwich City followed in 2012 before signing for Hull in 2014. Born in Glasgow, Snodgrass has so far made 21 full international appearances.
PREDICTION
Final league position – 20th
There is a real fear that with everything that has gone on in, Hull their return to the Premier League will be brief. Once again, the unease over the ownership of the club along with the departure of Steve Bruce who masterminded their brief stint in the Championship could be their undoing. In saying that, there is quality in their ranks which means that they should not go down without a fight.
- TEB prediction – away win
- Tigerlink prediction (see link below) – draw
- Who Scored prediction – draw
BETTING ODDS (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home 11/5
- Draw 23/10
- Away 13 10
- Both teams to score 8/11
FIND OUT WHAT THE TEAM AT TIGERLINK TOLD TEB THIS WEEK IN THE HULL VIEW
