Palace overturned a one goal deficit to gain a first win in five attempts at the expense of Liverpool.
Fomer England international midfielder Steven Gerrard’s final game at Anfield was spoilt by the Eagles courtesy of goals from Jason Puncheon, Wilfried Zaha and Glenn Murray. It secured Palace’s second 3-1 victory over the Reds and a league double for the season.
The Eagles now find themselves facing their last game of a very successful season, knowing a win would see them surpass their points tally from last season.
Swansea City are the visitors to Selhurst Park this weekend, a team who have already exceeded last season’s expectations in Garry Monk’s first full campaign in charge.
Both teams will want to end the campaign strongly. Alan Pardew insists Palace must improve their home form if they want to challenge at the right of the table next season, as an unprecedented third consecutive Premier League season looms for SE25.
Team News
Crystal Palace
Alan Pardew will again have almost a fully fit squad to choose from and has already confirmed that Welshman Wayne Hennessey will continue between the sticks. Long term absentee Jerome Thomas (foot) looks unlikely to make another appearance for the club before being released in the summer.
Swansea City
The Swans have a long list of injury problems as midfielders Ki Sung-Yeung (knee) Tom Carroll (ankle) and former Palace winger Wayne Routledge (foot) all sidelined. They are in good company as defenders Angel Rangel (groin) Kyle Naughton (foot) and Jordi Amat (foot) also miss out. Benfica loanee Nelson Oliveira (foot) is also unavailable.
One To Watch
Bafatembi Gomis (France)
The former Lyon striker has done brilliantly in his last few games for Swansea and has really improved the side since Wilfried Bony’s departure in January to Manchester City. Seven goals in league action this season should see the former Palace transfer target kick on and become a key player for the South Wales outfit next year.
Form Guide
Heading into this fixture the visitors have the better form with three wins and a draw in the last six games. In contrast, Palace have only managed two wins.
In the last six meetings between the two Swansea have the upper hand with three wins with Palace not managing to beat the side from South Wales. Three of the last six meetings have been at Selhurst Park, all were defeats for the hosts who did not manage to score a goal.
Predictions
It has been an impressive season for the Swans after they secured a top ten place ahead of this their final game of the season. The summer is likely to be crucial to them while the proceeds of the sale of Wilfried Bony burns a hole in their pocket. There is no reason not to expect them to be shrewd once again in the transfer market in a bid to retain a top ten spot next season.
- EPL Index prediction – away win
- Sky Sports Pundit Paul Merson’s prediction – away win
- Who Scored prediction – away Win
- My prediction – home win
- Betting odds (courtesy of Paddy Power – home 5/4 – draw 12/5 – away 11/5
