Crystal Palace vs Southampton

Crystal Palace are set to face Southampton in their next Premier League clash, but the hosts will be without their captain, Marc Guehi, who is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards this season. In his absence, Chris Richards is expected to step in as his replacement. On the injury front, Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes is a doubt after being forced off during the recent game against Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Matheus Franca and Adam Wharton remain sidelined and unavailable for selection.

Southampton, on the other hand, welcome forward Maxwel Cornet back into their squad after he missed the Boxing Day match against his parent club, West Ham United. Additionally, defender Jack Stephens could make his first appearance since serving a four-match suspension. Midfielder Will Smallbone is also nearing a return as he recovers from a hamstring injury, though it remains uncertain whether he will feature in the upcoming match.

When these two sides meet, Crystal Palace will aim to equal their longest league-winning streak against Southampton, which currently stands at four consecutive victories, a record set in 1991. In their last Premier League encounters during Southampton’s previous top-flight campaign in the 2022-23 season, Palace secured back-to-back wins without conceding a goal, triumphing 1-0 at Selhurst Park and 2-0 at St. Mary’s Stadium. Despite this recent dominance, Southampton have a strong historical record at Selhurst Park, having won six Premier League games there, a tally bettered only by their seven victories at Villa Park.

Crystal Palace enter the match in relatively stable form, having suffered just one defeat in their last seven Premier League outings, a run that includes two wins and four draws. However, the Eagles could face consecutive home defeats in the league for the first time in a year if they fail to secure a positive result. Selhurst Park has generally been a fortress for Palace against promoted teams, as they have lost only one of their last 13 Premier League home games against such opposition. That solitary defeat came in a 3-0 loss to Fulham in December 2022. Additionally, the Eagles are chasing a slice of history, aiming to win their final league match of the calendar year for a fourth consecutive year, a feat they have not achieved since 1963.

One notable statistic about Crystal Palace is their penchant for goalless draws. Since their return to the Premier League in the 2013-14 season, the Eagles have been involved in 36 goalless stalemates, a record they share with Everton. On the attacking front, Ismaila Sarr has been a bright spot for Palace, directly contributing to four of their last five Premier League goals by scoring three and assisting one. His form will likely be pivotal in breaking down Southampton’s defense.

Southampton’s struggles this season have been glaring, as they find themselves languishing near the bottom of the Premier League table with just six points from 18 matches. This total is among the lowest ever recorded at this stage of a Premier League season. Only two teams have fared worse—Sunderland in 2006 and Sheffield United in 2021—and both finished bottom of the table. Historically, the fewest points a team has had at the halfway point of a Premier League season while still avoiding relegation is 10, achieved by West Bromwich Albion in the 2004-05 campaign.

The Saints’ dismal form is further highlighted by the fact that they have managed just one victory in their last 31 Premier League matches. That solitary win came in a 1-0 home triumph against Everton on November 2. Southampton’s record in their final league games of the calendar year also offers little encouragement. They haven’t won such a fixture in the top flight since defeating Sunderland in 2002. Moreover, when their final match of the year has been an away game, their last victory dates all the way back to 1975, when they beat Oxford United in the second tier.

Southampton’s away form this season has been particularly poor, as they are winless in their last 16 Premier League matches on the road. Their attacking struggles are evident, with the Saints scoring just one goal in their last five away games. However, they have shown slight improvement recently, earning two points from their last three away fixtures, which matches their total from the previous 13 away matches combined.

In front of goal, Southampton have been alarmingly ineffective. No team has failed to score in more Premier League games this season than Southampton’s nine blanks. Their tally of just 11 goals scored is the lowest in the division, as is their total of 54 shots on target. This lack of offensive output underscores the challenges they face in turning their season around. Defensively, Southampton have also been under pressure early in games, having faced 17 shots in the opening five minutes of matches this season, the joint-most of any Premier League team.

As the two teams prepare to face off, the stakes are high for both sides. Crystal Palace will look to consolidate their mid-table position and continue their solid run of form, while Southampton are desperate to halt their slide and begin clawing their way out of relegation danger. The match promises to be a fascinating contest, with Palace’s resilience and attacking flair set against Southampton’s fight for survival and search for form. Both teams have much to play for, and the outcome could have significant implications for their respective campaigns.