The Eagles snatched all three points when visiting rivals Brighton after The Seagulls took an early lead, Palace scored three in the last ten minutes, closely followed by a 2-2 draw at home with title favorites West Ham, in which the visitors came from behind twice to gain a point. So they were hoping to build on the recent run of form when they returned from the International Break.
The Eagles paid a visit to 'Golden Boys' Watford on Saturday, this was their first game back from the second International Break this season. Nathaniel Clyne returning from a broken foot started out on the left, with no Moxey, no news on there being any new injuries.
The home side threatened first with new loan signing Michael Kightly forcing a save from Julian Speroni, before Joe Garner hit the woodwork. Wilfried Zaha has hit excellent form for the Eagles and his cross missed Glenn Murray in the box but fell to Scannell, whose effort was saved my Hornets keeper Scott Loach.
After the break, the sides continued fighting but deadlock was broken when David Wright fed Scannell into the Watford half who then sent a through ball onto Zaha on the right side of the 18 yard box. After beating his marker, his first time right footed effort rocketed past Loach and into the top corner of the net.
Jermaine Easter has been an important man for The Eagles this season, his goal against Coventry was one of two in the dying minutes to secure the win. His second of the season came when the ball fell to him deep in the opposition's territory and his right footed strike soared into the other top corner. Loach's corners clearly undefended in this game.
The final whistle blew, final score 0-2, meaning Palace jump from 12th to 8th in the table, with Leeds level on points but with a game in hand. Watford drop two spots to 20th and definitely need to pick up some crucial points.
Team News:
Crystal Palace's injury list has been vastly reduced over the International Break with Nathaniel Clyne, Owen Garvan and Kagisho Dikcagoi returning from various injuries. The only injury as far as we're aware of is Lee Hills who has been a long term absentee for quite a while but is back in training, although far from being fully fit.
Bristol City's excluded players are: Louis Carey (knee) and Jon Stead but David Clarkson returns from his loan spell at Brentford. Former England No.1 David James replaced Gerken in goal for The Robins on Saturday. This was just one of several changes that caretaker boss Steve Wigley made at the weekend, when they lost to Peterborough 2-1.
Preview:
With a run of three games unbeaten, Crystal Palace face rock-bottom Bristol City on Tuesday night. The Robins, who haven't won a game since August 17th (ironically this is my mother's birthday) when they beat moneybags Leicester City. This was Bristol's only win of the season. Of course as we all know, Crystal Palace are renowned for giving teams that are struggling, a "leg-up". For example, Doncaster away a few weeks ago. Doncaster hadn't won a game, they sat bottom of the table, showing no signs of improving and then we took our trip up to Keepmoat and they beat us 1-0. Last season, Scunthorpe hadn't won an away game in 2011, we had not lost a home game for 13 games and then they came to Selhurst and won 2-1.
That being said, Selhurst Park has been an almost impenetrable fortress. With only one defeat at home this season (against Middlesbrough who we beat three days later in the cup) the Eagles will fancy their chances. Wilfried Zaha has hit some good form, scoring 5 out of the last ten games, so there's no doubt he'll make an appearance with fellow academy product, Sean Scannell. Scannell has scored 3 goals this season, making him second in the goal scoring ranks in SE25.
The last time these two sides met, the final score was 0-0 so fans will be hoping to see a change in the scoreline. Although with the current record, Crystal Palace will be confident in scoring as they haven't gone a game without scoring when playing at home on a Tuesday night. Bristol, however, didn't score in their last away game, against Blackpool, which they lost 5-0.
My CPFC line-up:
Speroni
Clyne McCarthy Tunchev Moxey
Zaha Garvan Wright Williams
Scannell
Murray
Subs: Price, Gardner, Parr, Ambrose, Easter
L-L-L-D-L-L
Last time out:
Crystal Palace 0-0 Bristol City
Match Facts:
- Crystal Palace score an average of 1.4 goals at home, conceding 1
- Bristol City score an average of 1 goal on their travels, conceding 2.4
- The clubs have met a total of 79 times in all competitions, Palace winning 31, Bristol 28
- Crystal Palace have won just two out of the last ten meetings, Bristol have won five.
- The highest scoring game between the sides, of the last ten years, was a 4-2 victory for Palace at Selhurst Park on 22nd November 2008
- Neither side has scored more than one goal against each other since that game
- 67% of Bristol's points have come away from home this season
- Bristol have conceded at least one goal in all away matches this season
My Prediction:
Given previous meetings, I'd say a 1-0 victory to Palace. But going on this season's performances, results and form, I'm going to say:
Crystal Palace 3-0 Bristol City
Zaha (2)
Garvan (pen.)
I'm basing my penalty goal on Bristol City's discipline record this season, 18 yellows in the league, 1 in the cup.
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