3 Key battles: Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
The fixtures have a funny way of playing out, last year Liverpool’s charge for the title ended when they lost 1-0 to Chelsea at home and then a week later, they threw away a 3-0 lead at Selhurst Park and Crystal Palace had their own “Miracle of Crystanbul” by scoring 3 goals and ending any chance of a title for Liverpool. Liverpool played Chelsea last time around and now face Palace at Selhurst Park.
Ever since that game, both clubs have been affected and not in a positive manner, while Liverpool’s season hasn’t even kicked off, it seems they just can’t get a break, Daniel Sturridge is injured once again and could be out for 6 more weeks, he hasn’t played since September. Mario Balotelli hasn’t scored the goals he was brought in for; in fact none of their strikers apart from Sturridge have scored a goal in the Premier League. Their defence isn’t any better and it seems that most of their players still haven’t been able to hit top gear since the start of the season, quite a few of them have been putting in below average performances.
Palace lost influential manager Tony Pulis just before the season was about to begin, all the good work he had done to stabilize a club who were rock bottom of the Premier League last season with 11 games played. Palace, now under Neil Warnock, are 17th in the league and are desperate for a good result. Liverpool have won only once at Selhurst Park in over 20 years.
Here are the 3 key battles on the pitch which can decide which side ends up with the 3 points from the game.
Wilfried Zaha vs. Raheem Sterling
The two young English wingers are the creative outlet for their respective teams. Zaha, who couldn’t get a good run at Manchester United has come back to the club where he made a name and Sterling, who was one of Liverpool’s star players last season will be looking to outdo each other.
Sterling has the better stats when compared to the Crystal Palace winger, he has 3 goals and 3 assists from the 11 games he has played a part in while Zaha has one goal and one assist from the 5 games he has played in.
Both wingers are tricky to deal with and have pace to burn, the pair are going to be extremely important for their respective teams when they play each other on Sunday.
Mile Jedinak vs. Steven Gerrard
The battle of the two captains, Jedinak is a no nonsense midfield general who does not give much to his opponents and will be relishing the chance to take on Steven Gerrard. Gerrard hasn’t been at his best and contract talks about his future at Liverpool have loomed over Liverpool since the start of the season.
Jedinak was exceptional in his role as a proper defensive midfielder for Palace last season and will be looking to ensure that Gerrard has a torrid time, he would have to stick to the Liverpool captain like glue but if Jedinak can ensure that Gerrard does not have time to play his trademark passes to the attackers, Palace would have a very good chance of winning the game.
Frazier Campbell vs. Liverpool’s centre backs
Campbell, a former Manchester United player will be looking to go up against the Liverpool defence. The reds have not worked on their defensive frailties from last season and without them scoring goals this season, they have continued to concede goals.
Whoever plays from Lovren, Toure or Skrtel will have to deal with Campbell who is fast and can create a lot of problems for a Liverpool defence who have only kept 2 clean sheets this season from 11 games. Campbell could add to his league tally of 3 goals from this season and make it a miserable return for Liverpool at Selhurst Park.
