Predicted Crystal Palace Line-up To Face Swansea City In The Premier League
The Eagles travel to face Swansea City on Saturday as Crystal Palace look to continue their winning momentum and pick up 3 more points.
After spending a good majority of the new season gracing the bottom spot in the league table, Crystal Palace have sparked a commendable upward trajectory in form under new manager Roy Hodgson. They even beat Leicester City 3-0 in their last game, which only goes on to show how far they have improved. Currently sitting comfortably at 14th place, Palace are safe from relegation danger but they need to maintain this form if they are to finish on a higher note.
Team News
Palace have no fresh injury concerns but Christian Benteke will serve a suspension while Luka Milivojevic will be back in contention after a one-game ban. Mamadou Sakho remains sidelined due to a calf injury but Joel Ward is believed to be nearing a return. Besides that, Damien Delaney and Connor Wickham continue to be out.
Probable Crystal Palace XI
Formation: 4-4-2
Manager: Roy Hodgson
Julian Speroni (GK)
With an improved defence, Speroni looks a lot stronger in goal, making it likely for him to take up his usual role, against Swansea.
Martin Kelly (RB)
Completing the defensive line at right-back is likely to be Martin Kelly. He has helped the Eagles maintain clean sheets whenever he has started as a defender and with Joel Ward and Timothy Fosu-Mensah doubtful, Kelly could once again step up for Palace.
Scott Dann (CB)
Dann has truly improved his solidity at the back and looks like a menacing presence alongside Tomkins.
James Tomkins (CB)
Ever since his fateful match against Brighton towards the end of November, Tomkins has become quite crucial at the back and has established a strong defensive partnership with Dann.
Jeffrey Schlupp (LB)
Schlupp was remarkable in Palace’s game against Watford and his influence at the back has worked quite well with his teammates. Hence, Hodgson is expected to deploy the player on Saturday.
James McArthur (LM)
The way McArthur links the defence with the attack is quite impressive and he even scored a goal against Watford, which should see him earn a starting spot against Swansea.
Yohan Cabaye (CM)
Cabaye is a key player for Palace to establish control in the midfield and they will need his services to keep attacking threats from Swansea at bay.
Luka Milivojevic (CM)
Joining him in the middle is likely to be Milivojevic, who’s back fresh after serving his one-game ban. The player will be itching to get back into action and his partnership with Cabaye is expected to be a deciding factor in the game.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (RM)
Loftus-Cheek’s performances have considerably improved ever since Hodgson took charge and he is likely to continue his good form even against Swansea.
Wilfred Zaha (RS)
Zaha has been earning rave reviews for his displays and goal-scoring exploits and he is expected to get his name on the scoresheet over the weekend.
Andros Townsend (LS)
Townsend is likely to be deployed higher up to fill Benteke’s absence. Alongside Zaha, the player will be expected to do justice to the role and be a driving force in penetrating Swansea’s back line.