The first Monday night football of the season sees Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace. The last meeting between these sides on a Monday was the infamous Liverpool collapse back in 2014 under Brendan Rodgers, when the Reds went 3-0 up, only to concede three late goals and draw the game in what signalled the end to their title ambitions.
While Liverpool are yet to prove that they can overcome mid-table teams in the Premier League, they blew away a poor West Ham side in the opening week of the season, beating the Hammers 4-0 at home in their opening game. Sadio Mane scored twice in that match, while last season’s top scorer, Mohamed Salah also found the back of the net. But it was James Milner and Naby Keita, who made his debut, who really captured the eye. New signing Alisson was rarely tested as West Ham struggled.
As for Palace, they overcame newly promoted Fulham with a 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage. Jeffrey Schlupp scored the opener for Palace in the 41st minute, while Wilfried Zaha doubled their lead and confirmed victory with a goal in the second half. It was a significant improvement for Roy Hodgson and the Eagles, who memorably started last season off with seven straight defeats, failing to score in any of those games.
Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool Predictions
This is the kind of game that Liverpool need to win if they’re to become credible title challengers this season. They’ve historically struggled against mid-table teams in recent years and that has to be changed sooner, rather than later. A big victory at Selhurst Park, a place which holds some bad memories for Reds fans, would be a huge statement this early on in the season.
Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool Betting Tips
Head to Head
- Liverpool have beaten Palace 27 times, with the Eagles winning 14 games and the sides sharing 11 draws.
- Palace are winless in their last two competitive games against Liverpool, losing 2-1 and 1-0 in the league last season, but beat the Reds at Anfield in April 2017.
- The last time these teams met on a Monday in the Premier League was in May 2014 when Crystal Palace were 3-0 down after 78 minutes and rescued a 3-3 draw.
- Palace have won their last three Premier League matches at Selhurst Park and can secure four home league wins in a row for the first time in the competition.
- Wilfried Zaha needs one more goal to become Palace’s all-time highest Premier League goalscorer. He is level on 23 with Chris Armstrong.
- Sadio Mane has scored five goals in his last seven Premier League appearances against Palace, more than against any other side.
Crystal Palace Team News
Crystal Palace started well last week and Roy Hodgson is expected to name an unchanged team after beating Fulham 2-0.
Probable Crystal Palace XI: Wayne Hennessey, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mamadou Sakho, James Tomkins, Patrick Van Aanholt, Luka Milivojevic, Jeffrey Schlupp, Cheikhou Kouyate, Andros Townsend, Christian Benteke, Wilfried Zaha
Liverpool Team News
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan are all out with injury, but Joel Matip is in contention to start. Apart from that, Jurgen Klopp has no fresh injury concerns and he faces a decision as to who he picks in midfield, with Fabinho competing with Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner.
Possible Liverpool XI: Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson, James Milner, Naby Keita, Fabinho, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane
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