Crystal Palace will be aiming to put their disappointing performances behind them as they will be eyeing a fresh challenge when they host Wolves in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace will try to better their previous record when they take on a jubilant Wolves at Selhurst Park on Tuesday. Both the teams will be vying for a win given their current position in the Premier League and a fascinating affair could be on the horizon.
Patrick Vieira laid a successful bedrock last season as Palace had an encouraging 12th-place finish but their hopes of backing up their performance seem to have faded with a number of lacklustre displays.
They struggled against a hapless Leicester City side and tested Danny Ward just once throughout the match leaving Vieira a lot to ponder upon his attacking permutation combinations.
Wolves were knocking on the European doors last season but their ambitions remained unfulfilled and they were expected to come to all guns blazing this season.
But it hasn’t been the case and the Molineux outfit are currently flirting with relegation. A win against newly promoted Nottingham Forest did inject some belief but caretaker manager Steve Davis needs to put up a commanding display to put their horrific away run to an end as they have failed to muster a single victory in their last nine Premier League away matches.
Palace were lucky to escape with a point as goalkeeper Vicente Guaita made a string of saves to save the blushes for the London side. Vieira must be missing Conor Gallagher who was a dominant force in the middle of the pitch last term.
The former Arsenal defender did bring in a number of reinforcements this summer but their performances haven’t been up to the mark and Palace will be up for a challenge when they host the beleaguered Wolves on their home turf.
Knowing a win would put their relegation fears on hold for at least a few weeks Wolves would definitely fancy a chance against the Eagles.
Team News and Tactics
Crystal Palace
Palace are still battling injuries as Chris Richards, Jack Butland, James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson won’t be available. Will Hughes missed the last game but could be back for this match.
Vicente Guaita will be in between the sticks. Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen managed a clean sheet in the last match and they would aim for another clinical display. Tyrick Mitchell and Joel Ward will try to combine with the wingers from their respective fullback positions.
Cheick Doucoure will hold the deepest midfield role while both Eberechi Eze and Jeffrey Schlupp will handle the attacking threat from the middle of the pitch.
Following the stalemate with Leicester City, there will be some definite shakeups in the attacking ranks as both Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta will join Wilfried Zaha in the front three.
Probable Lineups (4-3-3): Guaita; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Eze, Doucoure, Schlupp; Olise, Mateta, Zaha
Wolves
Wolves have a number of recurring injury issues as both Raul Jimenez and Pedro Neto are out for a longer period. Chiquinho and Sasa Kalajdzic also won’t be available so the caretaker manager might have a tough task on his hand.
Jose Sa has done enough to retain a place in the between sticks. Nathan Collins’ three-match suspension has ended and he will partner Max Kilman in the central defence.
Rayan Alt-Nouri and Nelson Semedo are aware of the importance of this match and the two defenders will be up against an experienced bunch of Palace attackers.
Ruben Neves netted the winner against Nottingham Forest and he will drive the energy from the midfield alongside Joao Moutinho.
Matheus Nunes started the last game in a more advanced position and he will keep his place intact. Daniel Podence and Adama Traore will be coming from both the flanks while veteran forward Diego Costa will continue to lead the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sa; Semedo, Kilman, Collins, Ait-Nouri; Neves, Moutinho; Traore, Nunes, Podence; Costa
Key Stats
- Palace have been on a three-match winning run against Wolves in the Premier League.
- Palace’s record in midweek matches is not that good as they have managed just one win in their previous nine fixtures.
- Palace have conceded at least a goal in all their home games in the Premier League so far.
- Wolves haven’t won in their last nine away games in the top flight.
Players to Watch
Diego Costa
The former Chelsea striker has another chance to prove his worth and this time the circumstances are quite different. Wolves are potentially battling to establish themselves in the top half of the table and the onus will be on the 34-year-old to lead them to glory.
Predictions
Crystal Palace 0-1 Wolves
Goals have been scarce for the home side and Wolves will try to dominate the game. They will be high on optimism following their recent win and the return of Nathan Collins should also pave the way for a potential narrow win.