The Christmas season brought challenges for The Eagles as they took a trip southbound to Southampton for a clash with the league leaders. Palace visited St Mary's with back-to-back wins under their belt and looked to secure a third win in a row for the third time this season. The Saints lead the Championship despite going three games without claiming all three points.
The Saints proved they were worthy of their league position as they came out fighting, Rickie Lambert denied by a good save from Julian Speroni. The Saints controlled the game and two headed efforts, on either side of the break, from Guly do Prado ensured they claimed all three points. The victory gives Southampton a three point lead on second place West Ham United and defeat sees Palace at tenth spot, just a point above arch-rivals Brighton.
Team News
Crystal Palace are without long-term injury list inhabitants Jonathan Williams, Lee Hills & Alex Marrow. Loanee Dekel Keinan returns to training and may hope to make an appearance whilst Dean Moxey remains doubtful.
Millwall's Nathan baker is as good as ruled out with his knee injury; Alan Dunne and Tony Craig will battle to replace him.
Preview
Palace travel a mere six miles to their South London rivals Millwall this Saturday in their final match of the year. The two sides met in November at Selhurst Park but could not be separated as the most defining moment of the game saw Glenn Murray step up for a spot kick, only to fire wide of the goal. A draw is disappointing for Palace this season as they've had a great first half, peaking at third place and reaching the Semi Finals of the Carling Cup, however last season a draw against Millwall would be an improvement as The Lions claimed all six points over Palace in the rivalry clash. In previous meetings the Lions have claimed 38 wins in all competitions whilst Palace are behind with 27. The sides have drawn 28 times in all competitions.
My CPFC line-up
Speroni
Clyne McCarthy Gardner Ramage
Wright Jedinak
Zaha Ambrose Scannell
Murray
Subs: Price, Keinan, KG, Easter, Martin
Millwall's last six:
W-L-D-L-W-D
Last time out:
Palace 0-0 Millwall
Match Facts:
- The sides have played a total of 93 times: Millwall 38-28-27 Palace
- Millwall have scored an average of 1.41 goals at home this season, conceding 0.75.
- Palace have scored an average of 1 goal on their travels this season, conceding 1.33.
- Palace have scored nine goals in the final 15 this season, Millwall have conceded eight in this time frame.
My Prediction:
Millwall 0-1 Palace
Gardner
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