Crystal Palace and Fulham will face off in an intriguing London Derby at Selhurst Park, with both teams sitting level on points in the table.
Crystal Palace had the most modest of starts to their Premier League season, collecting seven points from their five games so far ahead of the game against Fulham. Last weekend, with Roy Hodgson absent from the touchline due to a health scare, Paddy McCarthy took charge, and early on in that game, the Eagles did look promising.
Odsonne Edouard scored the opener after combining well with striker partner Jean-Philippe Mateta. But Aston Villa grew into that game and put in a commanding performance in the second half. Palace were in the lead until the 87th minute, after which Jhon Duran, Douglas Luiz and Lean Bailey got their goals to turn the game around.
News you love to hear 🥰
We are delighted to confirm that Roy led training today and will be back in the dugout for Saturday's fixture against Fulham 💪 pic.twitter.com/te7RoT1ohU
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) September 19, 2023
Palace have come into this season with lofty ambitions to try and finish as high as possible. That includes a possible entry into the European positions. But for that to happen, they need results to go their way. A return to Selhurst Park will provide cause for optimism as they take on London rivals Fulham in an intriguing encounter.
Marco Silva has done his best to achieve some modest results. Despite sitting tenth in the table, they are only two points off Aston Villa in seventh. The manager knows the difficult task of going to Selhurst Park and getting a result, as only Arsenal, Manchester City, and Tottenham have got wins at this ground since the turn of the year.
After achieving a point against Arsenal at the Emirates, Fulham beat Tottenham on penalties to knock the north Londoners out of the EFL Cup. However, they were soon given a reality check by champions Manchester City, who got a 5-1 win at the Etihad before the international break.
Last weekend, after the break, Fulham had visibly regrouped and managed a narrow victory over newcomers Luton Town to get the ball rolling. Carlos Vinicius’s 68th-minute striker proved enough to collect the three points. But now, the prospect of doing the same against Palace will seem like a difficult task for Silva.
Team News & Tactics
Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson was given a double boost ahead of the Fulham clash, with Jordan Ayew and Marc Guehi returning to training. The former faced a nasty challenge against Aston Villa, while Guehi has been sidelined since going off for England in the Scotland game.
Back with the team 🙌
The boss confirms that Jordan Ayew and Marc Guéhi have returned to first-team training 💪 pic.twitter.com/l1VujbNEAq
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) September 22, 2023
Guehi’s presence will particularly make the defensive ranks stronger, while Ayew brings balance to the attacking third in the absence of Michael Olise. James Tomkins, Jefferson Lerma and Naouirou Ahamada are all out of contention for the Fulham clash, as well as Matheus Franca, who could sit out for a longer period.
With the other players available, the team picks itself up. Guehi and Joachim Andersen will resume their central defensive partnership, with Joel Ward and Tyrick Mitchell will take up the full-back roles.
Will Hughes seems best placed to partner Cheick Doucouire in central midfield. Odsonne Edouard will once again lead the line, but Ayew’s presence could see Jean-Philippe Mateta drop down to the bench. Jeffrey Schlupp and Eberechi will complete the attacking setup.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Hughes, Doucoure; Ayew, Eze, Schlupp; Edouard
Fulham
The Cottagers may have to make do without Tosin Adarabioyo and Antonee Robinson, who are doubts with muscular problems. Steven Benda remains completely absent from proceedings, but Marco Silva may not have any more issues with his squad.
Team photo day. ✅ pic.twitter.com/1yQxf9P0hY
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 21, 2023
From the look of things, Silva could pick the same starting eleven that won against Luton last weekend. This means Tim Ream and Issa Diop will keep their centre-back partnership intact, while Timothy Castagne will continue to deputise for Robinson.
Central midfield duo Joao Palhinha and Harrison Reed, fresh from signing new contracts, will keep their places. Ricardo Pereira will continue in that advanced attacking midfield role, flanked by Willian and Harry Wilson.
Vinicius might have scored the winner in the Luton Town game. But he still does not warrant a starting role under Silva. Raul Jimenez, who has yet to score for the Cottagers since joining, does a lot more in the attacking third, which will let the manager retain him in the central striking role.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Castagne; Palhinha, Reed; Wilson, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez
Key Stats
- Crystal Palace have won four of their last seven home games in the Premier League.
- Crystal Palace have lost only four games in their last 15 Premier League games, including only one on home soil during that period.
- Only Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have won at Selhurst Park since the start of 2023.
- Fulham have just three wins from their last ten Premier League away matches
- Fulham have only one win from their last six games against Crystal Palace.
Player to Watch
Eberechi Eze
Ebs leading the way 👏 pic.twitter.com/cSpJI0KiwF
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) September 22, 2023
The attacking midfielder needs to get back to his best, as his sharpness has been missing for a while now. There is a lot of pressure on Eze to get his form rolling, for it matters to keep his place in the England setup for next year.
However, with games like this one at home, Eze should assert himself as the star man on the pitch and dictate the game on Palace’s behalf. A top-notch performance will not only prove good for him but also boost his team’s chances and positions on the table.
Prediction
Crystal Palace 2-1 Fulham
These are games where the home advantage has a crucial role to play. Both teams are in a similar vein of form heading to Selhurst Park, but Palace have that slender advantage of the venue. Only Manchester City, Arsenal and Spurs have taken wins since the start of 2023, and Palace themselves are in a good run here.
In terms of quality, both teams look similar. But someone like Eberechi Eze could give Palace that extra edge needed in games that can be tight. This encounter promises to deliver a close match, and it is the small margins that will dictate where the three points go. As things stand, Crystal Palace seem like the favourites to beat Fulham this weekend.
