Prediction: Crystal Palace vs Southampton

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 9/4

Bookmaker: 888sport

The Premier League is back in our lives once again this weekend after a short and sweet break, courtesy of the quick turnaround due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All 20 teams have been making preparations ahead of what looks set to be a very competitive league campaign, and today, we’re going to be previewing the clash between Crystal Palace and Southampton. The home side have made one of the most intriguing signings of the transfer window thus far, but the visitors are carrying a lot of momentum over from last season.

Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson has never really been favoured as the man destined to lead the Eagles into the future, but after a few shrewd moves during the summer transfer window, many are hopeful that he has what it takes to push them into the top half of the table. Whether or not he’s able to do so could depend on what kind of start they have to the campaign because as we all know, it’s difficult to get back into the right sort of rhythm if you pick up a handful of early defeats – especially outside of the top six.

Team News

New signing Eze is a doubt with a slight niggle and outside of that, Palace have plenty of other injury concerns. Benteke, Cahill, van Aanholt, Tomkins, Sakho, Wickham and Ferguson will all miss out, although Zaha should be fit to start.

Southampton

Ralph Hasenhuttl is quite clearly the right man for the job when it comes to the Saints and if they can keep playing the same style of football they did in the last few months of the 2019/20 season, they should be just fine in the race for survival. Alas, a lot of Southampton fans are aiming much higher than that, as they believe they could start to enter the conversation for a place in the top eight.

Team News

Armstrong is a doubt but fans will be hoping to see Salisu start after arriving from La Liga, but elsewhere, there’s a slight worry stemming from the lack of transfer business at the club.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in January, Southampton beat Crystal Palace 2-0.
• Crystal Palace drew one and lost five of their last six games of the season.
• Southampton won three and drew three of their last six games of the season.
• Crystal Palace scored three goals and conceded 13 in their last six games of the season.
• Southampton scored 10 goals and conceded five in their last six games of the season.

Conclusion

This is a game that is set to be contested by two sides two traditionally hover around the midtable region of the Premier League, and we wouldn’t be entirely shocked to see them play like that on the opening day. We’re likely to see something of a feeling out process for the first hour or so before either team settles into the game, and from there, we are expecting both to get on the scoresheet with their star men performing when it matters the most. Therefore, we’re going to go for a 1-1 prediction.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 9/4

Bookmaker: 888sport