The Eagles took a trip to Portman Road in the nPower Championship on Saturday and after a run of decent results, they were looking to take on an Ipswich side that were also enjoying a good start to the season.
Things almost got off to a catastrophic start for The Tractor Boys as Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha's near post cross was almost turned into the net by Ipswich's Delaney. The Tractor Boys have been strong at the top of the pitch and after a goal mouth scramble Leadbitter's shot was cleared away by the Eagles defence. The defence still not conceding, which has been the case in their last two games. Lee Bowyer got his head on a fine cross but was well wide of Speroni's goal.
Palace were next to pile on some pressure, Glenn Murray finding himself in the box from a corner but was kept out by Ipswich 'keeper Stockdale. Ipswich's Jay Emmanuel Thomas fired from around 25-30 yards out but Speroni rose well to beat the shot away to end the first half, leaving Ipswich on a high.
The Eagles took the start of the second half in their stride, Jonathan Parr's cross to the far post found Glenn Murray who rose well above the defender, his header just over the crossbar.
The breakthrough, and only goal of the game, came when Sean Scannell's free kick was rebounded back at him, his second cross found skipper Paddy McCarthy who did well to turn his outside-of-the-boot flick into the roof of the net. Scannell, who was in fine form, began a wondrous run in his own half taking it past a couple of defenders before his shot was blocked.
Ipswich didn't give up, but Keith Andrews' shot flew well wide of the goal. JET's free kick, which looked like a cross, almost reached the top corner of Speroni's goal, but once again the Argentinian stepped up to make a fine save.
The game ended on a downer for Ipswich as defender Cresswell was sent off. Palace's third win on the bounce, and third away win on the trot. The Eagles jump to third in the table, Ipswich falling to ninth.
Team News
Crystal Palace defenders Lee Hills (knee ligament), Peter Ramage (groin) and Aleksander Tunchev (knock) will miss the fixture with Southampton on Tuesday night, as will Darren Ambrose after he also picked up a knock against Bristol City last week. Owen Garvan will hope to appear as he recovers from a knee injury.
Southampton have announced that 16 year old James Ward-Prowse will make his debut against Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup fourth round on Tuesday night, "He is a first year apprentice at Southampton's famed academy which has produced Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale & Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain". Ex-Eagle defender Jose Fonte will miss out against his old club with a hamstring problem, to be replaced by Aaron Martin. Goalkeeper Kelvin Davis will be replaced by second choice keeper Bartosz Bialkowski, the club has announced.
Preview
The Eagles play host to league leaders Southampton on Tuesday night, but it's not league points up for grabs this week, it's a coveted spot in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. Crystal Palace have played all three of their last cup fixtures at home, beating League Two leaders Crawley Town in the first round, Premier League strugglers Wigan Athletic and Championship title contenders Middlesbrough. Southampton have faced off against League Two sides Torquay United and Swindon Town, as well as edging out League One promotion chasers Preston North End. It's worth mentioning that Southampton have been scoring less goals as the cup run has progressed, their first victory was a staggering 4-1 over Torquay, followed by 3-1 (Swindon) and 2-1 (Preston). They have also conceded in every cup game so far, Crystal Palace conceding just two in the cup this season and are on a streak of three clean sheets in a row at the moment.
The sides have not met in this competition in almost exactly nineteen years; the game on the 28th October 1992 saw Palace over come Southampton 2-0 at St Mary's, first half goals from Eddie McGoldrick and John Salako saw The Eagles through to the next round.
With Palace's current league form at a high, manager Dougie Freedman will be keen to take on the Championship leaders to show that his side are a force to be reckoned with this season. Southampton have been playing second-string sides so far in the cup and show no signs of changing that as they select youngster James Ward-Prowse and second choice keeper Bialkowski to face The Eagles.
Ones to watch for the Eagles in this one are Wilfried Zaha and Jonathan Williams who have both played exceptionally well when called upon, Zaha claiming five goals so far this season, one of which was a wonder strike against Watford last weekend. Williams has provided a goal himself and also played a vital part in the opener against West Ham. The young Welshman has been called up for the U-21s and first team for his country, no full caps but definitely a Welsh Wizard.
My CPFC line-up
Price
Clyne McCarthy Gardner Parsons
Wright Jedinak
Zaha Williams Scannell
Pedroza
Subs: Speroni, Caprice, Moxey, O'Keefe, Dikgacoi Ambrose, Murray
Southampton's last six:
D-W-D-W-L-D
Last time out:
Monday 13th April 2009
So'ton 1-0 Crystal Palace
McGoldrick (67')
Match Facts:
- The two sides have met a total of 69 times, just 5 in this competition, each side winning twice, with one draw.
- Crystal Palace's home record against So'ton is good, only losing one out of the last six, two wins, three draws.
- Southampton have only lost away from home twice this season and are unbeaten at home.
- Crystal Palace have lost just 2 of the last 29 home fixtures in the league cup, and 4 of the last 41.
- Southampton have a prolific goal scorer in the form of Rickie Lambert who has netted 11 goals so far this season, 9 in the league and 2 in the cup.
- Crystal Palace are evenly spread with goalscorers, Wilfried Zaha with five, Glenn Murray 4, Scannell and Ambrose 3 with several other players on 2 and 1 goal(s) each.
My prediction:
Crystal Palace 2-2 So'ton
C Palace win 4-2 on penalties
Zaha Lambert
Scannell Connolly
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