MOTD COMMENTATOR’S NOTES
The arrival of Michy Batshuayi at Palace has generated a degree of excitement. The signings of Havard Nordtveit and Lazar Markovic for Fulham perhaps less so. I hope they prove me wrong.
@Guymowbray: Fulham’s comeback win against Brighton has made this all the more interesting, as has the late transfer business completed by both clubs on Thursday night.
Palace has found scoring at home a big problem. Even without Wilf Zaha, this is a chance to sort that out against the Premier League’s leakiest defence.
Fulham hasn’t won away or two league games in a row all season. Sort THAT out and their season starts anew, with safety back in sight.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson: “We will see a lot of games like this, with both teams desperate for points. We know the severity of the situation, it will be two highly motivated teams. Both will be anxious to get points on the board.
“We [Hodgson and Claudio Ranieri] go back quite a long way. He was very helpful to me when I went to Serie A. There isn’t a great deal of contact with the other coaches in Italy, but he went out of his way to extend a welcoming hand.”
Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri on Wilfried Zaha’s absence: “There are so many good players there, it’s not only Zaha.
“It’s a good team with a fantastic manager. Roy is unbelievable, we must be very concentrated.”
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
Palace’s recent performances have been decent and I would expect another positive display from them here, even without the suspended Wilfried Zaha.
Prediction: 1-1
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Fulham have lost only one of their last 11 league matches away to Palace, winning five.
- There have been 15 goals scored in the past four meetings.
Crystal Palace
- Palace have claimed just five points from a possible 18 since December’s 3-2 victory at Manchester City.
- They have won only two of their 11 league games at Selhurst Park this season. Their tally of nine points at home is the second lowest in the division; Huddersfield have five.
- The Eagles have scored just six goals at home and failed to score in seven of their 11 fixtures.
- Seventeen Premier League goals have been scored at Selhurst Park, eight fewer than at any other stadium in 2018-19.
- Only Liverpool have let in fewer first-half goals this season than Palace’s seven.
- Palace have won four and lost 19 of their last 28 Premier League London derbies.
Fulham
- Fulham are the only Premier League side yet to record an away victory.
- They have claimed one point from five away games since Claudio Ranieri took charge.
- Ranieri is without a win in his last 20 Premier League away matches, losing 14 of them.
- However, the Italian has won all three of his previous Premier League meetings against Palace.
- The Whites have conceded a league-high 30 away goals.
- Fulham could become the first team in top-flight history to lose eight straight London derbies.
Source: BBC News