Crystal Palace face a tough test in their fight for a top five finish as they welcome Sheffield United to Selhurst Park.
One point could be enough for Palace to climb up to ninth whilst Sheffield United will temporarily climb to fifth with victory.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesLuka Milivojevic is set to return for Crystal Palace after serving a three match suspension, having been sent off against Derby in Palace’s Third Round FA Cup exit at start of January.
Christian Benteke is also in contention to return after missing the past month with a strain.
Patrick Van Anholt, Mamadou Sakho (both hamstring), Jeffrey Schlupp and Andros Townsend (both groin) remain ruled out, although the quartet could all return in coming weeks.
Sheffield United could have David McGoldrick available after the Irishman missed their last two games with a foot injury.
Form
Palace have won just one of their last nine league matches coming into this weekend (W1, D6, L2), whilst taking a pair of 1-1 draws from two of their last four home games.
Sheffield United have won just one of their last five league games (W1, D1, L3), but are unbeaten in three of their last five away league games (W2, D1, L2).
Stat Attack
- Crystal Palace have won two of their last five league meetings against Sheffield United, of which both wins came at Selhurst Park (W2, L3).
- Sheffield United haven’t won in any of their last four trips to Selhurst Park (D1, L3).
- Three of their last four clashes have been won by 1-0 results in favour of the home team.
- Vicente Guaita has made eight sweeper clearances for Palace in 22 league appearances this season, compared to just three in 20 appearances last season.
- No Sheffield United player has made more headed clearances than Chris Basham this season, who has made 70 headed clearances in 24 league appearances.
Prediction
Palace have done a brilliant job in recent weeks to grind out points despite enduring an injury crisis, which stands them in strong stead against a Sheffield United team who haven’t lost any of their five trips to London this season in all competition.
Their four league trips however all resulted in score draws but last weekend’s FA Cup win at Millwall should of given them extra belief, so I am expecting the Blades to come here and cause their usual trouble on the flanks in search of that first league victory in London.
Palace however possess Wilfried Zaha who needs to be on form here otherwise I am going for a Blades victory, if they can keep him quiet throughout the match.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Sheffield United
Result: Crystal Palace 0-1 Sheffield United
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