TF Preview - Palace (h), 16 April, 7.30pm
Grace previews Wednesday night's visit of Oliver Glaser's dangerous Eagles team
In one of the strangest Premier League seasons in recent history, it could be argued that Crystal Palace have emerged the strangest team of them all.
They had a terrible start, keeping them in the relegation conversation until December. Flash-forward to April, they’ve won eight league games, only losing and drawing two. In fact, in the last ten games, the only two teams that are in better form than Palace are Liverpool and Arsenal. That’s an impressive feat, made even more astounding by the fact that they’ve made it to the FA Cup semi-finals.
This hasn’t come as a huge surprise: it was Oliver Glasner who led this Palace team to their second top-ten finish in the Premier League era. However, in a season where literally anything can happen (like a certain club breaking a 70 year trophyless streak), Palace’s prowess has been somewhat overshadowed by the exploits of Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth. They’ve become the Premier League’s crouching tigers – and we need to be prepared for when they strike.
Last weekend, my fellow TF writers mentioned that the Palace match would be more difficult than the Manchester United one. I think the 4-1 thrashing of the latter side just proves how far the Red Devils have fallen – and how high the Eagles are flying.
They had less luck against a Manchester side on Saturday, getting battered 5-2 by City. This would’ve been a difficult blow to take, especially after Palace were 2-0 up within the first 21 minutes. They’ll be hoping to bounce back on Wednesday night, just like we did after our thumping at the Etihad.
Last time we played Palace, they snatched two points from us with a stoppage-time equaliser from Daniel Munoz, assisted by Marc Guehi. In all honesty, it was well-deserved. They’d attempted 16 shots, four on-target. Our tally was a lot more measly: one shot, none on-target.
Looking back, this was at the start of our bumpiest period, which includes the losses against West Ham and Brentford. The main issue was the midfield teething problems, where the Bruno-Tonali-Joelinton partnership just wasn’t clicking. Now, I’m convinced they’re the best midfield three in the league and can play remarkable football with (or without, get well soon) Eddie Howe on the touchline.
Mind you, there’s no denying that Palace have some quality players in their side. Jean-Philippe Mateta has been a shining star this season, scoring 13 goals, as well as Eberechi Eze, contributing to 8 assists despite struggles with injuries. Both Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah will be available to play, after missing the Man City game due to suspension.
Speaking of suspension, various media outlets have reported a strange loophole surrounding Joelinton. Our one-man machine currently sits on nine yellow cards, meaning a booking in this game would lead to an automatic two-match ban. However, if Joelinton was to be shown two yellow cards and the subsequent red, he would only be banned for one match and the yellow card tally would revert to nine, and be wiped out. It has been a truly strange season.
Looking ahead to Wednesday night, this is a huge opportunity for us, as it is our game in hand. We’re currently embroiled in a stand-off with Forest, Chelsea and Man City, each team waiting for who is going to blink first and lose the Champions League spot. Winning this game would be a gigantic boost. A draw wouldn’t be the end of the world. But, in the spirit of the league this season, losing could knock down the entire house of cards. I’d be so entertained if I wasn’t so deeply nervous!
2-0 to us.
Grace Laidler @gracewillhuntin
Great article, interesting to hear that if Joelinton gets a red card he would only have a one match ban as opposed to a two match ban if he gets a yellow! So, not that he should do this of course, but if he did find himself yellow carded during the game, he could perhaps, just before the full time whistle, while he is waiting for a CP player to take a throw in/free kick, carelessly kick the ball away a good fifty yards, and maybe get a second yellow ...
Absolutely. It’s Eze who can score a goal out of nowhere, they’re a good attacking side and it’ll be a good game for the neutrals coz so are we! A “mouthwatering clash” (though I never took football seriously enough to salivate), a clash more difficult than the one against Manchester Reds imo.