Match Day Thread Saints v Crystal Palace 7:45pm Wednesday 5th April

Keeping up my unbeaten run of one game:

Just like buses no sight of a home game for eight weeks then two come along together. On Wednesday the mighty Saints face the might of Crystal Palace at 7:45.

Saturday against Bournemouth was that rare thing, an entertaining 0-0 draw. What will Wednesday bring?

Saints recent form in the league: WLLWWLD
Palace's recent form in the league: WLLWWWW

Saints are 10th in the Premier League, Crystal Palace 16th. They have three fewer points than us though we have a game in hand.

Players injured and believed to be unavailable (even if back in training):

Jeremy Pied
Matt Targett
Virgil van Dijk
Charlie Austin
Alex McCarthy
Manolo Gabbiadini - Claude Puel hinted that he might be available.

Referee: Roger East
Assistants: A Holmes, M Scholes
Fourth official: L Probert

Palace arrive fresh from a run of four wins on the bounce with the added uplift that the last of those was a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The arrival of the king of the escape, Sam Allardyce, has moved them slowly clear of the relegation zone. A win against us would probably leave them safe for this season.

Saints come into the match a little flat from Saturday's home draw where we created several chances but didn't put them away. A return for Gabbiadini might raise confidence in that aspect.

Prepare for the game by reliving a cornucopia of goals against Palace including JayRod's fabulous goal from a seated position.



COYR!

Confession: to my shame, I had to look up Crystal Palace's nickname.

 

Thanks, Onionman. Need to keep things moving this week.

Puel said post-match that Manolo probably won't be fit for Wednesday But probably isn't certainly is it. We can dream.

 

Even if Manolo just makes the bench, I think it will give everyone a lift.

 

The news seems to have got worse again?
M Gabbiadini Groin Strain April 5, 2017 Late Fitness Test
V van Dijk Foot No Return Date Major Doubt
C Austin Shoulder Injury April 25, 2017 Major Doubt

 

Wow 4 wins on the bounce, fair play to Sam.

 

Always does it, gotta hand it to him. Fancy them to get something here too, unfortunately

Wonder if we'll see some rotation again?

 

Let's burst that Palace bubble. The 3-0 at Selhurst was one of the absolute low points of this season, so I would very much appreciate a win here.



Vengeance is mine; I will repay.

- Leo Tolstoy (Anna Karenina)

 

They've spent a decent amount of money and have a solid squad, so they were always in a much better position in terms of getting themselves out of trouble than say Hull or Sunderland. They were just shockingly bad under Pards.

They've always been well organised and ruthless on the break when we've played them, the sort of team that always gives us trouble.

 

Agree with all of that. Can see us struggling against their defence and Benteke causing us problems.

 

Boufal is a doubt (late decision) and no Manolo. Hopefully back for WBA but may be later.

 

I can't be arsed to go back, but when they had lost a few under Sam, one poster said they were down. I said then not to right Sam off because he takes a few games to get what he wants from the players.

This will be very tough. Anyone thinking "oh they are a lower level than us, so three points" is deluded.

 

Sometimes you just need something to go your way. Our strikers aren't on fire, but we have just missed and just hit the post....only need all our luck to come home to roost and we could be two up. Not a nailed on win, but no reason why we couldn't get one. Our defence is pretty good...though a clean sheet may not be enough for some fans...so I'm going for 2-0 or 2-1 win.

 

I just hope Fraser wants to make amends in this match for what was possibly the low point of his career at Selhurst Park. I also hope JWP finally becomes the true attacking, goal scoring midfielder I want him to be.

 

I don't care who scores as long as it's someone in red and white.

 

bit early for father christmas!

 

Boufal is injured? What happened, hurt his ankle getting off the bench........very avoidable if I'm asked.

 

Palace have good attacking options, and now with a couple of decent attack minded full backs. We need to dominate midfield and release the ball early. Dont ask me how we will score 2 , but I am going for a 2-1 win

 

Merson gone for a 2-1 Palace win.

Southampton v Crystal Palace - Wednesday, 7.45pm

I'm going to go Palace here. They've got some really, really tough fixtures coming up, and they need to win this. They have the hardest run-in, so they need to get a gap between them and the bottom three.

If they win this, I think they'll be OK. Because then, Sam Allardyce can set his side up not to lose against the big teams.

You don't want to go into those games against the bigger teams needing to win. He's the best in the business at getting draws against those big teams.