Crystal Palace
Burnley FC
Burnley FC
Crystal Palace and Burnley meet in bottom half clash with both sides seeking better form
Crystal Palace 1-1 Burnley
Crystal Palace come into this match in slightly the better form of the two sides, despite losing last time out to Leeds.
Before that defeat, they earned their 7th and 8th wins of the season with solid victories over Newcastle and Wolves, six points which lifted them a full 14 points clear of the danger zone into 13th.
There is still a long way to go this season, though they can feel reasonable secure in the knowledge they’ll be in the Premier League next season, whilst also now having a fine opportunity to press ahead and climb up the table.
Burnley, on the other hand, are staring over their shoulders once more after four defeats from their last six in the league, also crashing out of the FA Cup in a surprise defeat to Bournemouth in midweek.
Their poor run of form has coincided with several injuries to first-team players, though Sean Dyche will be calling for a huge effort for the remainder of the season to keep them in the top division.
Form Guide (all comps): LLWWL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Decent run of form has left them on brink of top half
Have won two of their last three home games
Reasons to be fearful:
Wilf Zaha remains absent through injury
One of the longest absentee lists in the league currently
It will feel like a huge weight lifted from the shoulders of Roy Hodgson to look at the table and see a clear 14 point gap between his side and the relegation zone. Palace were never really looking like being dragged into a survival battle, but it’ll be a relief all the same.
Now, they can turn their attention to matters higher up the table, surely now aiming to secure a first top half finish since 2014/15.
They will be disappointed with their 2-0 loss against Leeds last week, a performance which included just 32% possession and three shots on goal.
Here, they will face a Burnley side in a spell of poor form and likely low on confidence. Their goal is unlikely to come under as much threat as against the attacking Leeds outfit.
This is a big chance for Palace.
Star Man – Eberechi Eze
With the continued absence of Wilf Zaha, the talented Eze must increase his output in front of goal.
Form Guide (all comps): WLLDL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Chris Wood could be fit enough to play a role
Beat Palace in the reverse fixture earlier in the season
Reasons to be fearful:
Struggling to score with just one goal from last four matches
Crucial run of fixtures coming up
Burnley are entering arguably the most important phase of their season.
Throughout the remainder of February, the Clarets face Fulham and West Brom, both vying to catch up with Burnley, followed by a trip to Tottenham.
With the gap currently eight points between them and the bottom three, there is no immediate reason to panic for Sean Dyche’s men. However, they have only picked up four points from the last 18 available and alarm bells will be starting to ring if they fall again to defeat here.
The loss of Wood and Barnes, their two top strikers, has hindered them in recent matches. With Barnes now back and Wood an outside possibility to return here, they should be more of a threat going forward.
Star Man – Matej Vydra
Likely to start up front alongside Barnes – the forward has three goals this season and must increase his output to help his side.
An even game though few chances in front of goal
Both sides have key goalscorers missing
A draw is the most likely result
At this stage, a point would not be a bad result for either side. Crystal Palace are unlikely to trouble sides such as Arsenal, Leeds and Aston Villa ahead of them, but they are not worried about slipping into trouble.
As for Burnley, they will be desperate to avoid their 5th defeat from seven league games. With the sides below them unlikely to gain on them significantly, a point could help Burnley get their season back on track.
With both sides missing crucial goalscorers, a draw is the most likely result here.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Burnley
