Team News

Palace

Bank Holiday Monday sees us welcome promotion hopefuls Southampton to a 3pm kick-off at Selhurst Park for one of only three home games left in the season.

Dougie and his boys have come under fire recently for poor performances and negative, overly defensive, tactics so despite it being a day off for most, don't expect a packed stadium - weather's meant to be grim as well, just FYI.

Anthony Gardner and Mile Jedinak are out for the remainder. Paul McShane will also miss the game - though we *might* get to see him again before the season's done.

Southampton

TBC....

Possible lineup

Considering it's Southampton we're playing expect a defensive 4-2-3-1 to be fielded by Freedman, though he'll probably pick different players than I've suggested here.

With Gardner and McShane still out expect Moxey to fill in at centre-back again, with youth on the bench - possibly Ryan Inniss as we saw against Birmingham at the weekend. The rest of the defence, and of course Speroni, pick themselves.

Garvan and O'Keefe as the central midfield pair does lack a little bite in terms of winning the ball back from the opposition, though it does give us more options pushing forward. Though O'keefe didn't have the best of games against Brum, his Old Trafford performance proved he is a capable midfielder whichever direction he's playing. I expect freedman will start David Wright in his stead, though.

Playing Ambrose through the middle makes the most sense, this way he can see more of the ball in those far-out goal-scoring positions he loves getting the ball in - it also ensures we don't have to put up with his lacklustre defensive play when on the wing. Ideally Joniesta would be starting here, though his omission from Saturday's team-sheet could indicate the gaffer is looking to rest the youngster after his long spell out. Though the rest could indicate we'll see the 18-year-old this Monday.

Zaha and Scannell on the flanks will add a little pace, and they both put in shifts tracking back - which will be vital against an attacking Southampton team who like to knock the ball out wide and attack down the flanks.

Murray in up top ahead of Easter.

What team would you pick? (Click on the formation to the right to see out line-up in full)

Key Players

Wilfried Zaha I'd like a reason to jump up and down a bit this Monday, and who better to provide that than young Wilf? Our second top goal-scorer and this year's nPower Championship Young Player of the Year is on many clubs' radars - but we've got him, and he owes us one last belter of a performance before the season's over. Why not against the Saints?

Ricky Lambert Who else was I going to choose, really? The guy has had a terrific season for the Saints with 28 goals across all competitions and a tantalising 106 shots on goal. I'm going to shut up now, because I'm making myself jealous.

Stats & Match Facts

Provided by PalaceStats

Crystal Palace have won 3, drawn 2 & lost 1 of their last 6 home games in the league.

Crystal Palace have scored 7 & conceded 4 in their last 6 home games in the league.

Southampton have won 4, drawn 1 & last 1 of their last 6 away games in the league.

Southampton have scored 10 & conceded 6 in their last 6 away games in the league.

Crystal Palace have the 2nd best defence at home in the league; conceding 0.70 goal per game.

Southampton have the 3rd best defence away from home in the league; conceding 0.71 goal per game.

Crystal Palace have kept 10 clean sheets at home this season in the league.

Southampton have kept 6 clean sheets away from home this season in the league.

The most common away result for the Saints this season is a 1-1 draw which has occurred 5 times.

The most common home result for the Eagles this season is a 1-1 draw which has occurred 5 times.

Southampton lost their last away game 3-0 to Blackpool.

Crystal Palace lost their last home game 3-0 to Nottingham Forest.

Crystal Palace are without a win their last 4 games.

Southampton have only won 9 games away from home in this fixture, conceding 43 goals and scoring 36.

Crystal Palace have won 13 games in the home fixture between the two teams, conceding 36 goals & scoring 43.

In the last home league game between the two teams Crystal Palace won 3-0 in 2008.

Prediction

I'll be honest, I'm not confident.

Palace 1 Southampton 4

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