Predicted Crystal Palace Line-up To Face Brighton and Hove Albion In The Premier League
Bottom-placed Crystal Palace will travel to Brighton on Tuesday with both clubs determined to seal 3 points. The home side have made a strong start to the Premier League season and are sitting in the 9th spot on the points table. However, they will look at this as an opportunity to solidify their chances of finishing higher up.
The visitors, on the other hand, have not been in the best shape. They started off miserably and are the favourites to get relegated this time. Their poor form saw Frank De Boer get sacked, following which the club appointed Roy Hodgson as the boss. After winning against Stoke City in their last game, Palace could get out of the bottom spot if they win this one.
Team News
The Eagles are likely to have Jordan Mutch back in contention for a starting spot as he seems to edge closer to recovery. Besides that, Hodgson has no fresh injury concerns as per early team news. In what will come as good news for the fans, Christian Benteke could push for a start against Brighton.
Possible Crystal Palace XI To Face Brighton
Formation: 4-4-2
Manager: Roy Hodgson
Julian Speroni (GK)
After angry fans criticised Hodgson for dropping Speroni against Stoke, the goalkeeper is likely to be back in action against Brighton.
Joel Ward (RB)
Ward continues to put in steady performances for the club and is needed in order to establish some stability at the back, which should see him take the field in his usual role.
Scott Dann (CB)
Like Speroni, Dann was also dropped against Stoke and that did not bode well for the fans. Hence, Hodgson is likely to start the solid defender when they visit Brighton.
Mamadou Sakho (CB)
Sakho netted the late winner in their previous game, even though he did seem a bit shaky for major parts of the encounter. That said, his influence is necessary for the defence and his name is likely to grace the starting lineup.
Jeffrey Schlupp (LB)
The defensive line is likely to be completed by Schlupp at left-back, after the player put in a convincing display against Stoke. Should start ahead of Patrick van Aanholt.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (RM)
Loftus-Cheek has received a lot of praise for his consistent performances this term and his impact on Palace has been tremendous, making it likely for Hodgson to hand him a start.
Yohan Cabaye (CM)
Against Stoke, Cabaye did not prove to be as influential as he might have liked to be but he has been one of Palace’s better performers which makes the event of him starting the game more likely.
Luka Milivojevic (CM)
Milivojevic was crucial for Palace against Stoke and he was fairly successful in dictating the pace of the play in the midfield. He could be important to compete against Brighton as well.
James McArthur (LM)
McArthur was instrumental in Palace’s attack against Stoke and he came close to scoring a goal. This kind of creativity will be crucial in breaking Brighton’s back line, which is likely to hand him a start.
Andros Townsend (CF)
Although Benteke is expected to return, there have been no concrete news so far. Hence, if Hodgson wants to provide him with more time to recover, Townsend could be back in this position against Brighton.
Wilfred Zaha (CF)
Zaha continues to be Palace’s strongest threat going forward and if they hope to win against Brighton, they need Zaha in their team.