*Note: This game is a 1pm Kick-Off, not the usual 3pm* please log in to view this image Vs please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Team News: Saints: Rumours circulated after the Portsmouth game about possible knocks to defenders Jose Fonte and Danny Fox, both so far unfounded. Fox was bizarrely substituted in the final 1/3rd of the South Coast Derby, but is expected to start the Palace game after setting up the opening goal for Rickie Lambert. Richard Chaplow could well be included in the squad as he continues to recover from his knee injury, as could David Connolly, who was described as 'very close to return' by Nigel Adkins after the Pompey game. Lee Barnard joins Radhi Jaidi and Dan Seaborne on the long-term injury list, as he requires an operation on an ankle injury suffered against Bristol Rovers last season. Palace: Australian Mile Jedinak received his 5th yellow card of the season in the win over Birmingham on Monday, and will therefore be suspended for the trip to St Mary's, whereas influential attacking player Wilfred Zaha served his one-match ban against the Blues, so will certainly feature on Boxing Day. On loan Cardiff defender Dekel Keinan may return to thee squad after injury. Last Result: Saints: 1-1 DRAW Vs Portsmouth (Away). Palace: 1-0 WIN Vs Birmingham (Home). Predicted Saints Team: ------------------------------------Davis------------------------------------------ ---Richardson-------------Fonte-------------Hooiveld------------------------Fox--- -------------------------Hammond---------------Cork----------------------------- ----Schneiderlin----------------------------------------------------------Lallana--- ---------------------------Lambert-----------Guly--------------------------------- Subs: Bart, Martin, Harding, De Ridder, Connolly. Now, I'm not a fan of playing all 3 central-midfielders, but I think Nigel will want to combat the threat of firstly Darren Ambrose, but also the flair of Wilfred Zaha and Nathaniel Clyne, the latter of which may limit Adam Lallana's attacking impact. Key Man: Saints: Jose Fonte: The former Palace man will need to keep tabs of Glen Murray, who has scored and won a penalty in his last two trips to St Mary's respectively. Palace: Nathaniel Clyne: The Right-Back put in a Man-of-the-Match performance against Birmingham, and he has the difficult task of trying to produce a similar level of attacking impact, whilst also limiting the prowess of the home side's Adam Lallana and set-piece deliverer Danny Fox down the Saints left side. Referee: Graham Sailsbury please log in to view this image Prediction: 1-1 draw. How negative of me, I know. Palace are extremely well organised and have plenty of skill and pace in their ranks, so Saints could be in for a difficult afternoon. A Darren Ambrose free-kick to put the away side ahead 10 minutes before half-time, and a Steve De Ridder low drive will rescue a point for Saints on 70 minutes. Together As One. COYR! Merry Christmas everyone!
Fonte is a doubt, confirmed to have had a foot injection to get him through Pompey - Adkins probably thought it was too high pressure to throw Martin in as experience counts in a derby! I'm going 2-1 Saints. Davis Richardson Fonte/Martin Hooiveld Harding Lallana Scheiderlin Cork Fox Lambert Connolly SUBS: Bart, Martin/Butterfield, Hammond, Guly/Chaplow, De Ridder
Think this will be a very tough game, going for a Saints win tho. Thanx for the great match thread again . Man to watch is Clyne I fear his pace against Fox and the fact Lallana doesn't get bk enough.
Would like this starting squad but can't see it happening. With Lala on right it would mean he doesn't have to cut inside all the time. Plus then Fox and Harding can interchange
yeah it would be good but i doubt it as well - i just feel lallana would offer a more natural option than schneiderlin on the right
Oh and im not sure if it has anything to do with the team but when i was walking around the stadium today, on the giant tv screens was stuck on a big picture of Aaron Martin (you know, the ones they show to show the team for the game) and it showed his squad number like it usually does ect.
Got bad vibes about Palace game...they've got loads of pace and will be dangerous on break. Sorry guys, Saints to lose 2-1.
Been a couple of games this season when I've had bad vibes and we've ended up whacking them.....long may it continue
Would be a very good win if we do get the victory, very organised team and will probably play on the counter attack with Zaha and co.
The last time I was as confident as this I correctly predicted the 4-0 thrashing of Watford. I'm going for a repeat scoreline.
Going for 1-0 Saint - We've had our blip, but Palace won't make it easy, Jos header early on me thinks COYR
Never place bets, but I like to look at oddschecker to improve my confidence. You can get roughly the same odds on Southampton winning 5.0 as Palace winning 2.0..now I love Saints but that's plain ridiculous. A 1 or 2 goal victory is what I will go for.
Guly dropped from the whole squad. Are you mental? Guly has been one of our best players at home. Slight over reaction to last week IMO. Davis Richardson Fonte/Martin Hooiveld Fox Lallana Hammond Cork De Ridder Lambert Guly
Wouldn't start Guly or De Ridder. De Ridder is a impact player at most, he can't start games. Guly has been poor so deserves to start on the bench. Swap them for Connolly and Chaplow
