Crystal Palace vs Southampton: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Despite Crystal Palace remaining winless in their last three in all competitions, their opponents Southampton are winless in their previous nine, following a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham United. The Eagles are in better league form than their south-coast counterparts, as the hosts have only lost once in their last five league games.

Crystal Palace have picked up victories over the likes of Ipswich Town (0-1) and Brighton and Hove Albion (1-3), whilst also drawing 2-2 with Manchester City. Southampton are winless away from home this season and have lost five of their last seven on their travels, and we expect their woes to continue here – Crystal Palace 2-0 Southampton

Crystal Palace host Southampton in the Premier League as they look to increase the gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

Date: 29/12/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: Selhurst Park

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace side have lost just once in their last seven league games, in what has been a significant upturn in form following a slow start to the campaign. Their only defeat was a 5-1 home loss to Arsenal, though they have only won twice in this period. They have recorded four draws, though these have included points against Aston Villa, Newcastle and Manchester City. It leaves them in 16th place with 17 points, three above the bottom three.

Southampton are rooted to the bottom of the table with just six points, and despite being under the new management of Ivan Juric, they lost last time out at home to West Ham. They are already 11 points adrift of safety with only one win on the season, meaning they will be desperate for three points.

Goals may be at a premium in this game, particularly for the visitors, who have not scored in any of their last four league games. The Saints’ top scorer has scored just two goals, though this is shared by three players; Cameron Archer, Joe Aribo and Adam Armstrong. This highlights the struggles they have had going forward having found the back of the net 11 times all season.

At the other end, Palace should be confident in getting on the scoresheet. Despite a goalless outing in their last game, they had scored six in the three fixtures prior. Jean-Philippe Mateta is their top scorer with four goals, though has not netted since the late winner at Ipswich at the beginning of the month. Ismaila Sarr has proved more of a goal threat of late with three goals in three, including a brace at Brighton in a 3-1 win.

The Saints have had troubles defensively at home with 11 goals conceded in their last three, but on the road they have been more resilient. Though it hasn’t resulted in any wins, they have allowed just three goals and picked up two draws in their last three away games. They could make it difficult for a Palace side who have shown inconsistencies.

Since 2020, these two teams have met seven times in the Premier League. Crystal Palace just edge the head-to-head in this period with four wins to Southampton’s two and one draw. In 22-23, the Eagles did the double over their opponents, with a 2-0 win on the road and a 1-0 win at home. Odsonne Edouard scored the winning goal at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace vs Leicester will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.

Crystal Palace

Palace have a number of injuries, though no new issues to contend with. Will Hughes, Adam Wharton and Matheus Franca remain out through the new year.

Southampton

Maxwel Cornet is eligible to return to the squad as he was unable to face his parent club last time out. Will Smallbone is nearing a return, though this game comes too soon. Jack Stephens remains out.

Crystal Palace

In their last five games, Crystal Palace have won one, drawn two and lost two. It has been a solid stretch for Palace after a poor start to the season. It started with a home game against Man City, as they held the champions to a 2-2 draw. Daniel Munoz gave them a very early lead, though they were pegged back by an Erling Haaland strike. Maxence Lacroix put them back in front, before Rico Lewis levelled it once more. Lewis then got sent off, but there was no change in the score.

They then faced rivals Brighton at the Amex Stadium, and they won 3-1, despite their hosts enjoying more possession. Goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Ismaila Sarr (x2) put them 3-0 up, before a late own goal proved nothing but a consolation. A doubleheader against Arsenal followed in both the Carabao Cup and league. Firstly in the cup they were eliminated at the quarter-final stage with a 3-2 loss despite taking an early lead through Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Three days later in the league they faced the Gunners at home, and were once again on the losing side. A goal from Sarr cancelled out a Gabriel Jesus opener, but the visitors ended up comfortable 5-1 winners. On Boxing Day, Palace travelled to Bournemouth, where they held their hosts to a goalless draw.

Southampton

In their last five games, Southampton have drawn one and lost four. It has been a dreadful stretch for Southampton, which resulted in the departure of Russell Martin. This run started with a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa, with Jhon Duran scoring the first half winner. The final game of the Martin era followed as they faced Tottenham at home. They lost 5-0, falling 3-0 behind after 14 minutes. All five goals came in the first half as the Saints were dominated from start to finish.

The first game under interim management came against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at St Mary’s. Southampton were eliminated with a 2-1 loss, as Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliot scored before Cameron Archer pulled one back in the second half.

New boss Ivan Juric watched on from the stands as his side held Fulham to a goalless draw at Craven Cottage. The Saints managed just one shot on target but were able to keep the hosts out for a clean sheet. Last time out they hosted West Ham on Boxing Day. They lost 1-0 in Juric’s first game, as Jarrod Bowen scored the winner.

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