Relegation-battling Crystal Palace host Southampton at Selhurst Park.
Victory can see Palace climb to 15th if can better Everton’s result, whilst Southampton will stay bottom regardless of the result.
Team News
Marc Guehi is suspended for Palace following his fifth booking of the season in their goalless draw at Bournemouth.
Will Hughes (knee) and Chadi Riad (fitness) face fitness checks.
Adam Wharton (groin), Matheus Franca (adductor) and Rob Holding (personal) remain sidelined.
Southampton will welcome Maxwel Cornet back into contention after he was ineligible for their defeat to his parent club – West Ham.
Jack Stephens (knock), Will Smallbone (thigh), Ross Stewart (calf) and Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Palace host Southampton at Selhurst Park on Sunday 29 December at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Palace have lost one of their last six league meetings against Southampton (W4, D1, L1).
- Saints have claimed 10 points in their last six league visits to Palace (W3, D1, L2).
- Odsonne Edouard scored in each of Palace’s last two home games against Southampton in all competitions (W1, L1), but is now on loan at Leicester.
- Eberechi Eze has created more through balls than any other Palace player this season.
- Southampton are winless in London this season (D1, L2).
Prediction
Although their goalless draw at Bournemouth might be viewed as disappointing by some fans, it at least was a strong reaction to their home mauling against Arsenal even if the end product wasn’t totally clinical.
Southampton though didn’t have much clinical edge despite an improved all-round display against West Ham, aside from a costly switch off in marking from a corner kick but they can build upon that and find more composure in final touches.
If Ivan Juric’s Saints can make those tweaks then I fancy them to nick a point but Palace should win this if can just find their clinical edge.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Southampton
Result: Crystal Palace 2-1 Southampton
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