Crystal Palace meet Brentford at Selhurst Park in a mid-table London derby.
Victory would see Palace move up to 13th if can win by two goals or more, whilst Brentford likewise can go 13th with a win.
Team News
Rob Holding could feature for Palace after recovering from an ankle injury.
Sam Johnstone (calf), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Joel Ward (both hamstring), Odsonne Edouard (knee) and Cheick Docoure (Achilles) remain absent.
Brentford could welcome Frank Onyeka back into contention after he missed their midweek loss to Wolves due to an one-match ban.
Kristoffer Ajer (foot), Rico Henry (knee), Bryan Mbeumo (ankle), Ben Mee (suspension), Josh Dasilva, Aaron Hickey (both hamstring), Kevin Schade (adductor) and Ivan Toney (suspension) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Palace host Brentford at Selhurst Park on Saturday 30 December in a 3pm GMT kick-off, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Crystal Palace have drawn all five previous Premier League meetings against Brentford (D5).
- Brentford have scored just one goal in their two previous Premier League visits to Palace (D2).
- Each of the last three meetings between Palace and Brentford finished 1-1, with Palace scoring first in two of those three matches.
- Two of Palace’s three league goals scored from the penalty spot this season were scored at home.
- Brentford have won each of their two London derbies away from home this season without conceding (W2), albeit both came in West London at Fulham and Chelsea respectively.
Prediction
With one win in their last 12 matches, Palace really need to start finding points if they want to avoid finding themselves dragged into the relegation scrap because they’re playing well – aside from defensive mistakes which have been costly especially when could of got a draw at Chelsea.
Brentford at least have the fair excuse of their injury crisis behind their slump in form but they have at least managed to keep most of their recent defeats to one-goal margins, which is a creditable achievement given the amount of players sidelined.
Their heavy midweek defeat against Wolves however shows how vulnerable they’re currently with many key players absent, so I expect Thomas Frank and his Bees to reset here and focus on their defensive game against a wasteful Palace side who have bigger issues in defence.
Although most fans would want a winner in this game, I just can’t see that happening and this could well be a sixth straight stalemate.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brentford
Result: Crystal Palace 3-1 Brentford