Bottom-placed Southampton will hope for a revival in form when they take on a resurgent Crystal Palace side at St. Mary’s.
The relegation battle has been creating twists and turns with each passing week this season. For a considerable period, around nine teams were fighting to avoid the three bottom spots. But recently Southampton, who face Crystal Palace next, have found it tough to get out of their standing at the foot of the table.
Having endured a five-game winless run, the Saints will hope to start their revival plan for the last phase of the season. Last weekend, as expected, Southampton suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of title-chasing Manchester City, with Erling Haaland again proving his worth and further improving his scoring record.
Ruben Selles will be hopeful of change and rely on home support to get through the weekend. Southampton would sense the opportunity at hand if they beat Crystal Palace at St. Mary’s, which could take them into the 19th spot if Leicester City and Nottingham Forest lose their games to the Manchester clubs.
Above Southampton, in 12th place, Crystal Palace supporters will have heaved a sign of relief at watching their side open up a considerable gap over the bottom three clubs. The board’s decision to re-appoint Roy Hodgson has started paying dividends after two wins in two.
A second-half to remember 😮💨#CPFC pic.twitter.com/Znahi8ZpYR
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 10, 2023
A late winner at the start of April did not show many changes in their approach. But they were a different team last weekend. After going a goal down in a game where it seemed Leeds United would overpower them and score more, Palace turned up the style and scored five in response.
Not only did that fill them with confidence, but it opened up a decent gap with those fighting relegation. That is not to say Palace cannot get dragged into the dogfight. But their momentum will take them across the finishing line in a few weeks.
Team News & Tactics
Southampton
Hear from the boss ahead of #SaintsFC's clash with #CPFC: https://t.co/BRDX01QORO
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 14, 2023
Ruben Selles confirmed around five players will miss the Crystal Palace clash owing to their respective injuries. The key stars among those would be Che Adams and Mohammed Salisu. The two players are not long-term absentees; they could return in the coming period.
Valentino Livramento, who recently resumed full training, will get to play for the B Team to build fitness. Meanwhile, there were doubts about key midfielder Romeo Lavia after being forced off against Manchester City. Going by Selles’s updates, the youngster may seem fine and could start on Saturday.
Southampton could field an unchanged eleven from last weekend to face Palace. Ainsley Maitland-Niles could take up the right-back slot again, with Kyle Walker-Peters slotting in on the left side.
James Ward-Prowse and Lavia will take up the central midfield berth, with Theo Walcott and Mohamed Elyounoussi providing the width. Kamaldeen Sulemana and Carlos Alcaraz will start as the front two for Southampton, hoping to trouble the Palace defence.
Probable :ineup (4-4-2): Bazunu; Maitland-Niles, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Walker-Peters; Walcott, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Elyounoussi; Alcaraz, Sulemana
Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson confirmed that Wilfried Zaha and Vicente Guaita will remain absent until the end of April. Crystal Palace showed last weekend they can cope with the Ivorian’s absence. Meanwhile, Sam Johnstone’s return to fitness has provided them with proper cover for Guaita.
Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Odsonne Edouard is fit for the weekend, as well as Chris Richards.
Nathaniel Clyne is out with injury. #CPFC pic.twitter.com/wzd2Prys2c
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 14, 2023
The manager also confirmed Nathaniel Clyne has a knee problem and did not state a return date yet. While Joel Ward started at right-back last weekend, Hodgson hinted at bringing Chris Richards into the position after he returned to full fitness.
Beyond that, not many changes are expected to the starting eleven, considering the manner of their victory last weekend. Jeffrey Schlupp, Cheick Doucoure and Eberechi Eze will all start in midfield, with a similar back four behind, with Richards being the only change.
Odsonne Edouard was rumoured to sustain an injury against Leeds. But Hodgson dismissed the suggestion, claiming it was only a substitution. He will lead the line for Palace, with Jordan Ayew again deputising for the injured Zaha, while Michael Olise will keep his place on the right side of the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Johnstone; Richards, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Eze, Doucoure, Schlupp; Olise, Edouard, Ayew
Key Stats
- Southampton have failed to win their last 5 matches in the Premier League.
- Southampton have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four Premier League games.
- Southampton could lose ten home games only for the third time in their Premier League history if they suffer a defeat to Palace.
- Roy Hodgson was their manager the last time Crystal Palace won three games in a row (2019/20).
- Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last three Premier League games against Southampton and will aim to record their first-ever double over the Saints.
Player to Watch
Michael Olise
Three assists = @EASPORTSFIFA Team of the Week 🥶
Happy with the card? 🎮😎#CPFC | #FIFA23
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 12, 2023
Olise has stepped up his game in the last few weeks and continues to assert his importance in this side. It appeared Patrick Vieira could not get the best out of the youngster for a long time. But Roy Hodgson may have found a route.
He was imperious against Leeds, recording a hat-trick of assists, thus becoming the youngest Premier League player to ever achieve the feat from open play. All eyes will be set on the 21-year-old as he looks to achieve consistency with his performances and help Crystal Palace to build on their recent results.
Prediction
Southampton 1-2 Crystal Palace
With two wins in two since Roy Hodgson took charge, momentum is clearly on Crystal Palace’s side. The Eagles will look to win three games on the trot for the first time since the 2019/20 season. And that could help them build the gap over their relegation rivals.
Southampton have a good set up under Ruben Selles. But they have not won their last five games. There is a sense of desperation to get going, and the manager would want to see the team climb up. Unfortunately, Palace’s momentum and form will not let the Saints get anywhere this weekend, as another defeat seems likely on Saturday.
Crystal palace to win against Southampton.