Prediction: Crystal Palace vs Leicester

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 12/5

Bookmaker: bet365

The Premier League is back this weekend with a fascinating slate of games for fans to enjoy. One of the encounters that seems to be flying under the radar at this moment in time is Crystal Palace vs Leicester, with both teams causing quite a few surprises in the early stages of the campaign. While it’s going to take a huge effort for either to really disrupt the flow in the top six, they certainly appear to be the best contenders to make it happen, which makes their Selhurst Park showdown all the more intriguing.

Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson will be a cult figure by the time he leaves Crystal Palace, and that much is a given. However, there are still some wondering just how much further he can take them. They play with a confidence that is rarely seen outside of the standard big sides in the top flight, and that ‘do or die’ attitude is going to bode very well for them. If they can sure themselves up from a defensive point of view, then they’ve got the potential to really make things happen for themselves.

Team News

Guaita is on the verge of a return to full fitness, but aside from that potential change, Hodgson is expected to keep a fairly similar side to the one that got a point against Arsenal.

Leicester

There’s an argument to be made that this team, under Brendan Rodgers, is better than the squad that won the Premier League just a few short years ago. Alas, the quality of Liverpool and Manchester City has cast a shadow of doubt over their ability to do the same thing yet again. Still, a place in the top four is beyond the expectations of most, and it’s actually quite a realistic possibility. They’ve got a lot of momentum, and if they can keep it together beyond January, then the sky is the limit.

Team News

Many changes are expected to be made following their exploits in the Carabao Cup.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in February, Crystal Palace beat Leicester 4-1.
• Crystal Palace have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six games.
• Leicester have won five and lost one of their last six games.
• Crystal Palace have scored seven goals and conceded 10 in their last six games.
• Leicester have scored 24 goals and conceded four in their last six games.

Conclusion

Leicester are always going to be a tricky side to contend with, especially based on current form, but Palace are equally as difficult to play against. One thing that is a virtual guarantee is that it’ll be an entertaining clash, because we’re not so sure these sides are capable of anything other than that. The Foxes need to get into a rhythm early because if they don’t, the Eagles have the sort of do or die attitude that can take them really far in the Premier League this season.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 12/5

Bookmaker: bet365