Van Aanholt Left Out And Zaha Starts: Strongest Crystal Palace Lineup To Face Watford

Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup To Face Watford

London outfit Crystal Palace were one of the favourites to go down to the second tier of English football after a mediocre run of results on both sides of the year. They have now won 9 points from their last 5 games under the new manager Sam Allardyce and are currently in the 17^th place, just a point above the drop zone. So it is important for them to keep up the good work they have done when they welcome Walter Mazzari’s Watford side to the Selhurst Park this weekend. 13^th placed Watford are healing from losses against Manchester United and Southampton in two of the last three games and will hope to get back to winning ways in this game. But they will find it hard against a Palace side that beat the Baggies a couple of weeks ago. Big Sam is expected to play his strongest side for this game.

Team News:

Loic Remy, Mathieu Flamini, Pape Souare and Connor Wickham are the long term absentees for the London outfit going into this game. Patrick van Aanholt, Scott Dann, Steve Mandanda and Bakary Sako might all be available but Allardyce might not use them from the start in this tie:

Formation: 4-5-1

GK – Wayne Hennesey

The first choice shot-stopper for Allardyce, Hennesey has been decent in the last couple of outings and Palace need him to be at his best this weekend as well.

RB – Joel Ward

Ward is an integral part of the squad for Allardyce and he should keep his place in the squad for this game having found some form in the last couple of weeks.

CB – James Tomkins

After putting in some superb performances in the last couple of games, Tomkins should start this game at the heart of the defence for Palace.

CB – Mamadou Sakho

The Liverpool loanee has played a perfect second fiddle to Tomkins and should partner him in this game as well, keeping the skipper Scott Dann on the bench.

LB – Jeffery Schlupp

Though Van Aanholt has been effective at both ends of the field, he has not been declared fit to start this game leaving Schlupp to deputise at left-back.

CM – James McArthur

Sitting in front of the back-4, McArthur has put in some decent performances in the midfield for his side and Sam should stick with him for this game as well.

CM – Yohan Cabaye

Another consistent midfielder who has helped revive Palace’s season. Cabaye has to play an important role if his side are to take anything from this game.

RW– Wilfried Zaha

Playing in a free role, Zaha has been more effective for his side and he should start as a part of the attacking three for Palace.

CAM – Jason Puncheon

Puncheon is one of the senior most members of the squad and has been influential in the last couple of games.

LW – Andros Townsend

Though not at his best recently, Townsend is an important part of the squad in London and he should start this game on the left-flank.

ST – Christian Benteke

The target man for Crystal Palace, Benteke will be up against the likes of Prodl and Britos and will hope to have a productive game playing at home.

This is how they would line up: