Crystal Palace vs Liverpool tips and predictions: Nose-diving Eagles to draw another blank against Reds
- George Dempsey
- 7 December 2023
Crystal Palace’s form is spiralling as Liverpool continue their relentless march towards the top of the Premier League table.
Crystal Palace were beaten 2-0 by Bournemouth on Wednesday night and the difference in quality between the sides highlighted while others are improving, the Eagles are stagnant.
Roy Hodgson’s arrival gave the club a giant lift and he saved them from what looked like certain doom, but standards are slipping again.
The positive form carried over into this season with three wins and three draws through eight matches, but their only success in eight outings since was a 2-0 win over strugglers Burnley.
On the other hand, Liverpool continue to churn out wins. They left it late against Fulham at Anfield but there was a measure of control about their 2-0 win against Sheffield United.
Neither win was vintage conjuring six goals from different sources highlights the major difference between these two sides.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have struck 53 times this season and have hit the back of the net in all 22 matches. As usual, Mohamed Salah leads the way with 13 goals.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace average less than a goal per game and have been shut out five times so far this season.
There are two instances of Hodgson’s side scoring more than once across 15 games and that sort of form makes it incredibly hard to win games.
Perhaps the Eagles will be lifted by the fact they held Liverpool to a pair of draws last season - 0-0 at home and 1-1 at Anfield - to end a disastrous losing run in the fixture.
Before that, Palace lost 10 on the spin and shipped 30 goals in the process. Given the current form of these sides, we’re predicting a return to the status quo.
The absence of Cheick Doucoure makes them very vulnerable and Liverpool's midfield should be able to dominate this game and create chances at will. Mo Salah is hovering on 199 goals and will surely get his chance on Saturday.
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Team news
In a major blow to Palace, Cheick Doucoure has snapped his Achilles tendon and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. He’s irreplaceable in their setup.
Eberechie Eze is still a few weeks away from a return while Rob Holding, Dean Henderson and Tyrick Mitchell are expected to miss out.
Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota, Andy Robertson, Allison Becker and Stefan Bajcetic are ruled out.
Alexis Mac Allister played through a nasty-looking injury on Wednesday and is now a doubt.
Key stats
- Crystal Palace are winless in 12 meetings with Liverpool, losing 10
- On average, Liverpool have outscored Palace by precisely two goals in those games
- Liverpool have scored 53 goals in all competitions this season
- Liverpool have scored in all 22 fixtures across all competitions
