Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Crystal Palace duo Connor Wickham and Wayne Hennessey are both doubtful for Sunday’s game and will be monitored.
James McArthur and Jason Puncheon are out but Pape Souare returns from a ban.
Daniel Sturridge and Mamadou Sakho are back in training after missing Liverpool’s midweek win against Manchester City and could both feature.
Philippe Coutinho will also hope for a recall after being rested on Wednesday, but Lucas is out for at least five weeks with a thigh injury.
Editor’s Note: Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace side have slipped further down the table after Bournemouth’s win at St James Park yesterday. They haven’t won a League game since December 19th and that’s a run of 12 games without a win. If this run gets any longer they could be in serious danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.
It’s only the fact that Norwich, Newcastle and Sunderland haven’t really capitalised on Palace’s form by winning themselves that sees Palace still have a comfortable buffer between themselves and the sides battling to stay up. Last time out they were a minute away from finally ending that run only for Fabio Borini to get a late late equaliser for Sunderland at The Stadium Of Light
For a side that was in the Europa League places before Christmas it has been quite the fall from grace with 2016 already being a year to forget for the South London side. They will look to make sure it isn’t 13 without a win as they play host to Liverpool this Afternoon.
Liverpool got over the misery of losing the Capital One Cup Final to Manchester City on Penalties last Weekend by exacting some quick revenge at Anfield on Wednesday. They outclassed a weary looking City side and kept themselves on the fringes of a Europa League spot at the end of the season.
The currently find themselves 9th in the table but do have 2 games in hand on the teams around them, a Win today could see them move up to 7th position and make sure that the last quarter of the League campaign is one that they still have something to play for.
Liverpool have been resurgent as of late, with only 1 defeat in the last 5 league matches plus advancing to the next phase of the Europa League where they will play their most hated rivals Manchester United. They will look to continue that run of form as they travel to Selhurst Park this Afternoon.
Although Selhurst Park hasn’t been a happy hunting ground as of late for Liverpool, I reckon they’ll be able to take full advantage of a Crystal Palace side low on confidence. It’s going to an unlucky number 13 for Pardew as Liverpool come away with all 3 points. An away win for me.
