Crystal Palace will host Aston Villa at Selhurst Park, looking to continue their spectacular run of form and end the season on a high.
Crystal Palace have been quite impressive in recent weeks, picking up five wins from their last six league matches ahead of the visit of Aston Villa on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are winless in their last three Premier League games, and they will have to improve immensely in order to grind out a win. The Villans have already qualified for the UEFA Champions League, and they have nothing to play for.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace will look to finish in the top half. A win here could send them into the top half if the other results go their way, especially Brighton & Hove losing their game to Manchester United. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Crystal Palace
Sam Johnstone misses out with an elbow injury, while Cheick Doucoure has a calf problem. Marc Guehi is ruled out with a knee injury, Rob Holding has an ankle injury, Chris Richards has a knee problem, and Matheus Franca misses out with a groin injury.
Dean Henderson will start in goal as Crystal Palace shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation against Aston Villa. In the back three, Joel Ward will start alongside Joachim Andersen and Jefferson Lerma.
Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell will start as the wing-backs. They will look to help out in the attack and protect the back three as well. Adam Wharton and Will Hughes will start in the middle of the park, and they will look to control the tempo of the game.
Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise will start as the attacking midfielders, and they will create goalscoring opportunities in the final third. Finally, Jean-Philippe Mateta will lead the line for the Eagles against Aston Villa.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Ward, Andersen, Lerma; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Eze, Olise; Mateta
Aston Villa
Emiliano Buendia, Boubacar Kamara, and Tyrone Mings are still recovering from their respective long-term injuries. Meanwhile, Jacob Ramsey is sidelined with a toe problem and has played for the final time in the 2023/24 season.
Aston Villa are likely to shape up in a 4-4-2 formation against Crystal Palace, with Emiliano Martinez in goal. Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne will start as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Diego Carlos and Pau Torres will form the central defensive partnership.
Matty Cash and Leon Bailey will start in the wide areas, and they will look to protect the full-backs and help out during counter-attacking opportunities. Meanwhile, Douglas Luiz will start alongside John McGinn in the middle of the park.
The Brazilian international will look to break up opposition attacks and shield the defensive unit, while the Scottish midfielder will add drive to the midfield. Finally, Ollie Watkins will lead the line for Aston Villa alongside Moussa Diaby.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Cash, Luiz, McGinn, Bailey; Diaby; Watkins
Key Stats
- Crystal Palace have won five of their last six matches in the Premier League.
- Crystal Palace have seen over 2.5 goals in their last three home matches against Aston Villa in all competitions.
- Aston Villa have scored at least two goals in five of their last six matches in the Premier League.
- Aston Villa are winless in four of the last six league matches.
- Five of the last six matches between these two teams have seen both teams score.
Player to Watch
Michael Olise
The 22-year-old Crystal Palace winger has ten goals and five assists in 13 league starts this season. He has been exceptional in his last two matches, scoring three goals and picking up an assist.
Olise is our key player to watch out for. The Frenchman will look to influence the game in the final third with his pace, flair, and goalscoring ability. It remains to be seen whether he can punish a vulnerable Aston Villa defence here.
Prediction
Crystal Palace 1-1 Aston Villa
Although, Aston Villa have a better team at their disposal, they have not been at their best recently. With nothing to play for, they could be lacking in motivation when they lock horns with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace are on a winning run, and they have the momentum with them. They will look to finish the season strongly and a close contest is expected. Both teams could end up cancelling each other out in a draw.