Prediction: Crystal Palace win
Best Odds: 11/8
Bookmaker: 888sport
As millions around the world continue to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, one slice of normality has remained the same – sport. We’re firmly in the February groove and that means we’re going to be experiencing a whole lost of games coming at us thick and fast between now and May, which is especially true in the English Premier League. Today, we’re going to take a look at a fixture between two teams desperate to avoid a relegation scrap – Crystal Palace and Burnley.
Crystal Palace
A few positive results in recent weeks have helped to ease the pressure on the shoulders of Roy Hodgson, with many Eagles fans believing they’re in for another unremarkable midtable/bottom half finish without too much of a relegation threat to deal with. Given some of the players they have at their disposal we’d suggest that probably isn’t good enough for a lot of supporters, which means all eyes will be on the board by the time summer rolls around.
Team News
Wilfried Zaha is still an injury concern here with Hodgson hoping that he can avoid joining the long list of players currently on the shelf, including Sakho, Schlupp, Wickham, Tomkins, McArthur, Hennessey, McCarthy and Ferguson.
Burnley
The Clarets rarely have to worry about the threat of relegation, even when they’re stumbling around the bottom four or five – mainly because Sean Dyche is so often capable of working miracles at Turf Moor. They’re now a settled Premier League club and while they do still have to overcome hurdles in order to remain in the top flight, Burnley fans pretty much know what they’re going to get from most PL campaigns they compete in.
Team News
Cork should be available after missing Burnley’s FA Cup defeat to Bournemouth with one of the other big worries being Chris Wood who is a doubt to start. Elsewhere, Taylor and Brownhill are both fighting to be fit in time for what could prove to be a vital trip to the capital.
Factors to Consider
- In their last meeting back in November, Burnley beat Crystal Palace 1-0.
- Crystal Palace have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
- Burnley have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
- Crystal Palace have scored five goals and conceded 10 in their last six games.
- Burnley have scored seven goals and conceded nine in their last six games.
We don’t think this is going to be the most attractive game of football we’ve ever seen, if only because neither of these sides are exactly flourishing in the Premier League this season. It’s going to be an encounter that is settled by the finest of margins and, in a complete contrast to what happened earlier on in the campaign, we’re going to back Palace to take all three points courtesy of a moment of magic from one of their top attacking stars. Prediction: Crystal Palace win Best Odds: 11/8 Bookmaker: 888sport
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
