Liverpool v Crystal Palace- Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Liverpool host Crystal Palace The Reds are two matches without winning whilst the Eagles have just two wins in 13 fixtures. The Reds are 15 matches vs Palace without losing in all competitions.

Liverpool Form

Liverpool have had a dip in recent weeks. In the league, it’s still just two losses in 31 matches but they’ve failed to win four of their last seven matches. A 1-1 home draw vs Man City saw them outshot the Champions 12-3 in the second half before thrashing Sparta Prague 6-1 at home. Liverpool lost 4-3 at Man Utd after extra time in the FA Cup with 3.93 xG allowed in a leaky display.

They dominated Brighton in a 2-1 win and beat Sheffield United 3-1 at home but a 2-2 followed last weekend. Despite 28 shots and being 15-0 on shots in the first half, they could only draw 2-2 at Man Utd. On Thursday, they allowed seven ‘big chances’ in a deserved 3-0 home thrashing by Atalanta in the Europa League.

Liverpool Team News

Jurgen Klopp’s injury concerns are easing. Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara are absent, but Stefan Bajcetic is back. Alisson is nearing a return and may only be a week away from featuring.

Diogo Jota is back from a knee injury and Trent Alexander-Arnold is available again. Neither is expected to start this match. Mo Salah will return to the starting XI, as will Luis Diaz.

Liverpool Motivation

The Reds need a win in the title race, with a draw being useless.

A clean sheet could be high on the agenda after leaking five goals in the last week. Motivation to win will be high after their poor display at Anfield on Thursday.

Crystal Palace Form

Palace are crawling towards the end of the season. They replaced Roy Hodgson after a poor run but Oliver Glasner’s initial ‘new manager bounce’ has worn off. This first five matches saw just one loss as they beat Burnley 3-0 at home and had three 1-1 draws.

Leads were surrendered in the latter two stalemate, 1-1 at home to Luton and 1-1 at Nottingham Forest. A 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth saw Palace have just three shots. Last weekend, Glasner’s team lost 4-2 at home to Man City. They had just 24% possession in that defeat.

Crystal Palace Team News

Oliver Glasner has a couple of attackers available again to boost his options. Odsonne Edouard scored off the bench vs Man City and Michael Olise played as a substitute. Matheus Franca is still out.

Some other starters remain on the treatment table. Sam Johnstone, Marc Guehi, Rob Holding, and Chris Richards are all injured. Defensive midfielder Cheick Doucoure’s season is over.

Crystal Palace Motivation

Palace are a defensive side under their new coach and use a back five. They have little interest in possession.

A draw here would feel like a win. A narrow defeat would probably be acceptable.

Key Stats

Liverpool have scored at least 3 goals in 7 of their last 12 EPL fixtures.

Liverpool’s last 59 home league matches have seen just 1 loss (45 wins, 13 draws)

Liverpool are undefeated in their last 15 matches vs Crystal Palace (all competitions)

Crystal Palace have won just 2 of their last 13 matches.

Palace have scored 1 or fewer goals in 7 of their last 9 league matches.

Crystal Palace have failed to score in 6 of their last 9 matches against Liverpool (all competitions).

Verdict

The Reds have a great record in this fixture and need a big response. Palace will make life difficult with numbers behind the ball. I can see Liverpool putting a lot of focus on a clean sheet here.