This Just In Update:
- When scoring first, Crystal Palace have not gone on to lose a league game at Selhurst Park since 2004 when they were last in the top flight, against Everton, losing 1-3.
- When scoring first, Crystal Palace have not gone on to lose a cup game at Selhurst Park since 2006 against lower league side Notts County, 1-2.
Middlesbrough will be without Jonny Franks who is one of their long term absentees.
- In all competitions, the sides have met 43 times, both winning 15 and a draw has been the outcome 13 times.
Team News:
Crystal Palace will be without long-term absentees Nathaniel Clyne (foot), Kagisho "KG" Dikgacoi (hamstring) and Lee Hills (knee) as well as new boy to the injury list, Owen Garvan who twisted his knee in training and has been sentenced to a month on the sidelines.
Alex Marrow returned against Wigan in his first competitive game since February, he played in a pre-season friendly against AFC Bournemouth and received a sixty minute period in the behind-closed-doors game against Charlton during the international break, as did veteran striker Steffen Iversen who recovered from an ankle injury.
Middlesbrough defender Stephen McManus is hoping to be fit for Saturday's game after a clash with team-mate Rhys Williams within 30 seconds of their victory over Burnley. Number one Jason Steele is still out injured but the Teesiders have extended the loan for Wolves keeper Carl Ikeme but he is not available for the cup tie as part of his loan deal. Boro also have keepers Danny Coyne and Connor Ripley to choose from.
Preview:
After a shock defeat in the league against Leeds last Saturday and a good cup win over top flight Wigan on Tuesday, Crystal Palace will play host to Middlesbrough in their fourth home game of the season this weekend. Palace have been solid at home so far this season and haven't lost at home since the last game of the season. Although Palace will feel confident with their home record, Middlesbrough boast an unbeaten season so far with 4 wins out of 6 and will hope to continue this when they make the journey to Selhurst Park.
This game will definitely be the Eagles' toughest challenge at home this season thus far and many fans will be satisfied with a level scoreline when the final whistle blows.
That being said, it is not in the mind of any footballer or manager to go out on to the field and play for a draw and I expect both managers to be fielding their strongest possible side and the players will do all they can to win. With just 6 games played it is still early days and every team wants to get points on the board early on and with just 5 places and 4 points between the two sides this game is set to be a close one and I'd be surprised if we didn't see a few goals. Sean Scannell is the Eagles top scorer so far this season, netting 3 goals, Wilfried Zaha a close second with 2 in the first round League Cup victory against Crawley Town. Top goalscorer for the Teesiders this season is the Dutchman Marvin Emnes who has netted 7 goals this season, 4 in the league and 3 in the cup.
The teams have played just 6 times in the last seven years, Palace winning 2 out of 3 of the home fixtures and the last time Boro beat Palace at home was in April 2005, 1-0, Frank Queudrue the goal scorer when Palace were in the Premier League.
My CPFC Line-Up:
Speroni
Wright, McCarthy, Tunchev, Moxey
Ambrose, Marrow, Dorman, Parr
Scannell, Murray
Subs: Price, Ramage, O'Keefe, Zaha, Easter
Last 6 games:
W-D-W-W-W-D
Last time out:
February 5th, 2011
Crystal Palace 1-0 Middlesbrough
Vaughan (36')
Match Facts:
- Palace are unbeaten at home since the last day of the season.
- Boro are unbeaten this season.
- The sides have only met 6 times in the last ten years.
- Palace score an average of 1.32 goals at home.
- Boro score an average of 1.44 goals away from home.
Prediction:
1-1
Murray (Palace)
Emnes (Middlesbrough)
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