Crystal Palace will face Bournemouth this week in the Premier League, here’s our predicted line-up.
Roy Hodgson‘s Crystal Palace side are in desperate need of three points with just one win in seven.
This form has seen four losses and two draws, along with watching Palace slowly slip down the table after a solid start.
The draw against West Ham prevented it from making three consecutive losses and is a point that Hodgson needs to build on.
The reason the three points here are so vital is that the following four games are all looking extremely difficult. Palace have Liverpool at Selhurst Park before heading to face Man City at the Etihad. Following this it’s Brighton at home before Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea.
Crystal Palace predicted XI to face Bournemouth
Given the high stakes and it being the most winnable game for Palace this month, we predict that Hodgson will go strong here.
In goal, that means Sam Johnstone starts as he is one of the club’s most consistent performers this season.
At right-back, it’s Palace’s longest-serving player Joel Ward, however, he will be looking over his shoulder with Danny Imray going strength to strength.
Moving onto left-back we have Tyrick Mitchell who Alan Shearer has praised as ‘solid’ over the past month.
The strong centre-half duo of Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen will start in the centre-back positions where they have thrived together this season.
Into midfield, USA centre-half Chris Richards impressed in defensive midfield against West Ham and so should be afforded the chance to continue in the role here – it would be a first ever start in central midfield at Selhurst Park for the American.
Ahead of him, the pairing of Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma will continue with limited options for Hodgson to pick from.
On the right, Michael Olise should continue starting and he has been excellent since returning from injury, highlighted by his wondergoal against Luton.
Jordan Ayew should play on the right again with little choice for the manager.
Then up front, Odsonne Edouard should retain his place ahead of Jean-Philippe Mateta.
