SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Crystal Palace welcome Premier League champions Liverpool to Selhurst Park on Saturday, for what should be an exciting affair.
The likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will be facing Wilfried Zaha and Ebere Eze in SE25, for a top-flight clash involving a lot of excellent players.
Let’s take a look at who we think Roy Hodgson is going to start against Jurgen Klopp’s men…
Vicente Guaita in goal, two changes in defence
We think that the former England manager will recall Gary Cahill to the XI for the visit of Liverpool, in place of Scott Dann – the ex-Chelsea man’s experience will be vital against Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Elsewhere, despite a solid showing in east London, we think Hodgson will reinstate Nathaniel Clyne in place of Joel Ward, just to give the backline a bit more pace.
Jeffrey Schlupp returns, James McArthur and Andros Townsend axed
Just to freshen up the side, we feel Hodgson should give James McArthur a much-needed rest.
The 33-year-old has started 11 of Palace’s 13 Premier League games this term, and Klopp’s high-energy system will mean he’d have to work very, very hard.
Elsewhere in midfield, we think Jeffrey Schlupp should return to the XI in place of Andros Townsend. Like Ward, the ex-Tottenham man played well against West Ham, but lacks the burst of pace required to beat the likes of Andy Robertson.
Michy Batshuayi in
Of course, ex-Liverpool striker Christian Benteke will be suspended for this game after bizarrely receiving two yellow cards against West Ham, purely for trying to gain leverage and win some headers.
Nevertheless, we think Michy Batshuayi – who cost Chelsea £33 million – should come in to replace his fellow Belgian.
Predicted lineup: Guaita; Clyne, Cahill, Kouyate, van Aanholt; Riedewald, Milivojevic, Schlupp, Eze; Batshuayi, Zaha
