Crystal Palace host Fulham as they both look to move closer to safety

Crystal Palace lock horns with Fulham at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon.

Pending Saturday’s Newcastle result, a win for the visitors could see them move out of the relegation places.

Palace last featured on Monday night as they travelled to the Amex stadium, home of Brighton & Hove Albion as both sides looked to pull away from the drop-zone.

Content in relinquishing possession and sitting deep, Roy Hodgson’s side were happy to allow the Seagulls enjoy possession, but it’s goals that win games not possession.

In that vein, the Eagles took the lead just before the half hour mark when Mainz loanee, Jean-Philippe Mateta executed a smart back heel finish eluding Ben White and Robert Sanchez in the Brighton goal.

The South Londoners led at the interval, but the hosts certainly weren’t letting up and the sides were level 10 minutes after the restart courtesy of a fine Joel Veltman finish.

With Albion now in the driving seat, they looked to clinch the winner but substitute Christian Benteke gave Roy Hodgson’s side the bragging rights as his injury time volley handed the Eagles all three points.

The win propelled the Eagles up to 13^th place and 10 points clear of the drop-zone.

Speaking to Crystal Palace’s official website Hodgson commended his side on such a dogged defensive display, he said: “We played against a team that’s very technical, that moved the ball quickly.

“We knew we had to work very hard defensively as a midfield unit and a back unit, to limit the number of times they got in our penalty area.

I’m really pleased with the guts and determination and fight the team showed, and as a result we come away with the ultimate points total from the game.”

Meanwhile, visitors Fulham will travel to Selhurst Park in full confidence having only lost once in their last seven outings and being unbeaten in their last four.

Last time out, the Cottagers played host to bottom of the league Sheffield United in a battle for survival, nevertheless it was the Cottagers who clinched all three points.

For the most part, Scott Parkers side dominated in all areas of the pitch but couldn’t quite break down the Blades backline as both sides went in level at the break.

Ademola Lookman sparked the relegation six-pointer into life on the hour mark as the winger darted down the left flank and into the area before firing in at the near post.

The win for the West London side meant they moved within three points of Newcastle United and another step closer to their hopes of survival.

Two-to-watch

Two of summer signings, Eberechi Eze’s three league strikes this season have come in his previous four Premier League home appearances for Palace.

Ademola Lookman has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than any other Fulham player this season (Four goals, three assists) scoring last time out against Sheffield United.

Team News

Palace are currently going through the worst run of injuries in the Premier League, with a number of their first-team members missing.

Talisman Wilfried Zaha has returned to light training and was put through his paces with the rehab specialist on Friday morning. Hodgson is hopeful that the winger might be in full training from next week. The Londoners have suffered 18 defeats in the 20 contests the Ivorian has missed.

James McCarthy, a key figure within the midfield engine room, could be in contention to feature.

Jeff Schlupp and Connor Wickham returned, taking part in the early part of Friday mornings training, but didn’t join in the more rigorous drills. But it is hoped they will be returning to full training next week.

Elsewhere, Nathaniel Clyne has been added to the list as he’s picked up an injury. It’s not yet known how long he will be out of action for.

As for the visitors, Scott Parker should have the best part of a full squad to select from with no new injury woes. Aleksandar Mitrovic is in contention to return to the substitutes bench after recovering from coronavirus.

Tom Cairney the only absentee as he continues to nurse a knee injury.

Head-to-head

The two sides have met on 46 occasions in the past. Crystal Palace have a slightly better record with 17 wins and 15 draws, whilst Fulham have been victorious on 14 previous occasions.

The clubs last met on 24^th October 2020 with Palace coming away with a 2-1 win at Craven Cottage, goals from Jairo Ridewald and Zaha gave the Eagles a two-goal cushion before Cairney grabbed a consolation deep into additional time.

Scott Parker’s side have a good record against teams in and around them (W2, D7) with Palace the only side from the current bottom eight to defeat them.

Roy Hodgson’s side have one of the Premier Leagues worst defensive records, with only West Brom conceding more goals ahead of this game week than Palace’s total of 43 (1.72 per game).

Subsequently, just two of Fulham’s previous 15 Premier League fixtures have produced over two goals. Though, the Eagles have conceded 3+ goals in half of their previous six league home matches.