Crystal Palace and Sheffield United will face off after both conceded five goals in their last Premier League game. The Blades are in dire straits and have not won away from home. Palace are still five points clear of the relegation zone.
Preview (Crystal Palace vs. Sheffield United)
Crystal Palace has only won one of their previous ten Premier League games. The last was a humiliating 5-0 loss to Arsenal in their most recent game. Frustrated Eagles supporters have expressed their displeasure with both the club ownership and first-team management. The capital club, which was once known for its defensive discipline under experienced coach Roy Hodgson, has conceded 62% of its league goals this season amid a 10-game streak in which they have allowed more goals than two goals per game.
After eight games without a win in the league, Palace’s final match of 2023 concluded in a London derby victory (3-1 over Brentford). However, after returning from the mid-season break, Palace was held at home by Everton in the FA Cup third round. Their surrender to Arsenal once more sparked doubts about Hodgson’s future, especially because several prominent managers were already unemployed.
Palace has defeated Tuesday’s opponents in three straight Premier League games, winning all three and maintaining a clean sheet. Hodgson is aware that maintaining that run is practically necessary to maintain his position as Selhurst Park’s top player. Sheffield United has not only lost all six of their previous league excursions to Selhurst Park. They have also had a dismal record of road performance when they come this time. This run of results is part of a larger picture for the Yorkshire club. It has seen them lose 16 of their previous 19 away top-flight games while scoring just seven goals.
Team News
Though two attacking possibilities have lately come back into contention, Roy Hodgson, who had a deal for Blackburn Rovers star Adam Wharton rejected last week, will be without numerous players on Tuesday evening. Joel Ward (thigh), Rob Holding (ankle), Michael Olise (thigh), and Chick Doucoure (Achilles) are all restricted to the treatment room, although Jordan Ayew is again available following Ghana’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations. In the most recent FA Cup third-round replay against Everton, Odsonne Edouard, the Eagles’ top goal scorer with six goals this season, recovered from an injury and is now prepared to start in the Premier League; however, fellow Frenchman Jean-Philippe Mateta is in his way.
Ben Brereton Diaz of Chile is hoping to become the first Blades player to score in the team’s opening two Premier League games since 1992, thus Sheffield United will probably look to him up front for inspiration. Cameron Archer and William Osula might also play in the last third. Rhian Brewster is still serving out his three-match suspension.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Sheffield United
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