Saturday Premier League – Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
March 31st 2018 12:30 – Selhurst Park
Recent Form (League):
Crystal Palace: LLLLW
Liverpool: WWWLW
After the International break, the Premier League makes a welcome return as Champions League-chasing Liverpool head to the capital to face relegation-threatened Crystal Palace in the Saturday lunchtime fixture.
Roy Hodgson’s men arrested an alarming run of form with victory away at Huddersfield last time out. Prior to that, Palace had suffered four consecutive defeats which dragged them back into the relegation battle. After an initial upturn in form following the former England manager’s arrival, results have been patchy and the team have been over-reliant on Wilfred Zaha. The last time the Eagles picked up three points without the former Manchester United winger in the side was way back in September, 2016.
The visit of Liverpool will be Palace’s toughest test for the remainder of the season, so any points gained on Saturday will be a plus as they bid to keep their top flight status. Recent history shows it will be a big ask for Palace as they have lost three of the last four meetings between the two teams. Eagles’ striker Christian Benteke has scored six goals in eight league appearances against the Reds, but has only scored twice in 25 league appearances this season.
In contrast, Liverpool will arrive full of confidence having lost just one of the last five league games, scoring 14 goals in the process, the only loss coming away to bitter rivals Manchester United. Jurgen Klopp’s men bounced back from that with an impressive five goal rout of Watford last time out. The Reds won the last league meeting back in August and are aiming to complete a Premier League double over Crystal Palace for the first time since 1997/98.
The Anfield side know a win would take them second in the table, 10 points clear of fifth placed Chelsea, but having played two games more than the teams around them at the final whistle. The form of Mohamed Salah has been integral to the Merseysider’s success. Top scorer in the Premier League with 28 goals, the Egyptian star also has nine assists, a return that surely no one predicted when he made the €42 million switch from Roma last summer.
As mouth-watering as their forward line is, Liverpool’s defence is comfortably the worst in the Premier League top five. Their four league defeats this term have all come away from Anfield.
Prediction: Liverpool are great going forward but still defensively vulnerable. Couple that with the presence of Zaha and Benteke and this game has goals written all over it.
You can back Liverpool to win with both sides to score at 9/5 with Betfair.