The Cottagers defeated bottom-dwelling Luton Town 1-0 to earn a much-needed maximum, while the Eagles were defeated 3-1 by Aston Villa in their most recent match.
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Due to a health concern, veteran Palace manager Roy Hodgson was not giving instructions from the sidelines when the Eagles traveled to face Aston Villa last week. This gave Paddy McCarthy the opportunity to take charge once more after his brief stint in the dugout last season.
The Eagles came agonizingly close to giving their manager the best get-well present possible when Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta linked up for the latter to score the game’s first goal. However, a late Lions offensive resulted in Jhon Duran’s rocket, Douglas Luiz’s penalty, and Leon Bailey’s goal to swing the game in Villa’s favor.
This defeat ended Palace’s brief unbeaten streak of three games. However, the Eagles manager’s return to the practice fields this week has given Palace some encouragement as he works to address defensive issues that have caused his team to allow seven goals in their last three games across all competitions.
Even yet, Villa’s defeat was only their fourth loss in their previous 15 Premier League games, three of which were on the road. Their ninth-place finish in the table is reasonable for a team with top-half ambitions.
Only three teams—Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur—have left Selhurst Park with all three points since the start of the year, and after losing all six of their opening home games of 2023, Palace has now won four of their past seven games.
For Fulham manager Marco Silva, the international break could not have come at a better time. After watching his team get destroyed by Manchester City on September 2, Silva had two weeks to reflect on that trying game at the Etihad.
When the Cottagers returned to the Premier League last weekend, there were no fireworks because newly promoted Luton performed admirably at Craven Cottage. However, a goal from Carlos Vinicius in the second half was enough to advance the capital club.
The Brazilian’s goal in the 65th minute gave Fulham their first Premier League victory since defeating Everton 1-0 on the opening weekend. Due to their mediocre start, Fulham is tied with Palace in points, but is one spot lower in the standings due to a worse goal differential.
Silva’s team has struggled with consistency for a while now, both at home and on the road. Fulham has only recorded three victories in their previous 10 Premier League away games, despite scoring in each of their last four games in the top tier played against rival teams.
The Eagles left Craven Cottage with a point after a 2-2 draw back in May, but the Cottagers have only won once in their last six matches against them. The Cottagers also spoilt the Christmas celebration by defeating Palace 3-0 at Selhurst Park on Boxing Day of last year.
News from the Team
Palace’s defeat at Villa Park was heartbreaking for several reasons, including the loss of forward Jordan Ayew after just 25 minutes due to a thigh injury. However, McCarthy was optimistic that the Ghanaian international’s problem was nothing more serious than a dead leg.
Ayew has recovered quickly and likely keep his spot in the starting lineup, while Naouirou Ahamada, who just sprained his ankle, has joined Michael Olise, Matheus Franca, Jefferson Lerma, James Tomkins, and Matheus Franca in the medical bay.
Due to Marc Guehi’s hip injury, which he got while representing England, Chris Richards received a rare start in defense last weekend; however, the center-back should recover in time for the next match.
Palace and Fulham can empathise when it comes to defensive difficulties, as former rearguard regulars Tosin Adarabioyo and Antonee Robinson are both dealing with muscular ailments, but the former could be available for Saturday’s capital showdown.
Sasa Lukic, a midfielder who is still recovering from a knee injury, is only regarded to have a minimal chance of playing this weekend, but Harrison Reed and Joao Palhinha should continue to partner up in the middle nonetheless.
Given that Raul Jimenez has yet to make an impact for his new team, Silva may think about inserting Vinicius right away because of his key goal against the Hatters. Alex Iwobi, who joined the team in the summer, may also get his full debut.
Johnstone, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Hughes, Doucoure; Ayew, Eze, Schlupp; Edouard might be in the starting lineup for Crystal Palace.
Leno, Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson, Reed, Palhinha, Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi, and Vinicius are possible starters for Fulham.
We declare: Fulham 1-0 Crystal Palace
Last year’s Christmas celebrations at Selhurst Park may have been ruined by Fulham, but Hodgson’s club has since proven that they are tough to beat at home; Man City and Arsenal both managed just one goal in SE25.
Given Palace’s recent defensive shortcomings, a lackluster Fulham assault will probably have to settle for the one goal at best as well, and a low-scoring stalemate seems to be the most likely result in this mid-table match.
