Crystal Palace – Villa; Tough game, this, I reckon.

Palace

 

Palace up next then and they did quite well last season having finished 10th, didn’t they?

I quite fancy them to be a bit of a surprise package this season; well at least a package that might see them improve on that 10th, at least.

Not that I’m interested in them, apart from the fact that they play in some decent colours.

Last season we played them twice in a month, with us pinching a quite lucky win at their place, while we shared the points at Villa Park on new year’s day.

Injury-wise, I’m not seeing many problems for Palace, although goalie Julіan Speronі and Marouane Chamakh probably aren’t ready yet.

As for the Villa, Okore is still out and Crespo’s still recovering from a groin injury.

Gil, Traore and Grealish played for the under 21s on Monday, with Grealish scoring.

Reading between the lines, I expect Grealish to be part of the line-up tomorrow, but suspect it’s too early for Gil. Although Sherwood has been playing down Traore, in saying that he’s one for the future and only a kid who isn’t our saviour, it really wouldn’t surprise me if he was to get a few minutes off the bench, just to savour the atmosphere, as the Palace fans do make some noise.

As for the rest of our team, I don’t see much changing, apart from Grealish taking Sinclair’s place, where the link-up on the left could be a big threat.

So what’s my prediction then?

I definitely see goals, but not many, which doesn’t quite make sense, given that both teams have pacey attacks.

My head says it’ll be a 2-1, but I can’t say who to.

I’m still not convinced by our defence, to be honest, even though many of us seem to think we look better.

My heart says it’ll be a goal apiece.

Which would do for me, in that we’d have four points out of our first three games.

Not stunning, but reasonable, given that we have played our guaranteed loser at home to the mancs.

141 Comments

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  1. Hitchens 60
    Hitchens 60 August 21, 2015 at 10:55 pm . Reply

    Pretty fair summing up Badger. I would be happy with 1-1 so am going with that.

    I’m a little concerned over Vertout – his body language in the first couple of games didn’t seem right – almost seemed overawed by the whole situation. Maybe we should start him from the bench and bring Sanchez in to reinforce the back 4.

  2. Jay Dee
    Jay Dee August 21, 2015 at 11:35 pm . Reply

    Tough one badger to call Palace are a good outfit at the minute.I think this game will all depend on if the lads click tomorrow if they do we will win if not can’t see anything but a palace win.I think the first half will reveal all UTV

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath August 22, 2015 at 1:38 am . Reply

      2.1 to palace is my prediction hope I’m wrong though. Think we missed a trick by not trying to sign cabaye brill player

  3. badger123
    badger123 August 21, 2015 at 11:48 pm . Reply

    Long time no hear, JD.

    Put it this way; I’m not confident mate.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath August 22, 2015 at 1:44 am . Reply

      Off subject but as much as j hate to say it I wouldn’t mind paul Caddis from the scum as our right bk saw him on TV tonight looked a top right back. Wasted playing for the scum

      1. Hitchens 60
        Hitchens 60 August 22, 2015 at 7:23 am . Reply

        Not sure RB is a TS priority with Mutton, Bacuna and Crespo all able to play there. More likely looking for a CB although Lescott in place of Senderos appears strange (other than Lescott seems less prone to injury).

  4. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson August 22, 2015 at 7:56 am . Reply

    Morning Hitch, we all seem to agree a stronger player is needed in defence, an old head wouldn’t go amiss but not many in the market, Lescott as much as Oohah’s didn’t rate could in my mind settle in, don’t think he will come anyway, looking forward to today’s game and going for a win to Villa ,I have more confidence now than last seasons shower, 2-1 Villa for me.

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 August 22, 2015 at 1:22 pm . Reply

      Morning Bill – yep fair point. Would love to see us win but Palace are a very good side so a draw would be a reasonable result for us.

  5. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN August 22, 2015 at 8:29 am . Reply

    1-3 VILLA but only if gabby ain’t playing.UTV COYL

    1. Turv32
      Turv32 August 22, 2015 at 9:20 am . Reply

      0 – 2 for da villa. We will keep a clean sheet.

  6. Dave67
    Dave67 August 22, 2015 at 9:31 am . Reply

    This one is hard to call. Palace are playing good football, now saying that they were very lucky against Norwich, had the ref on their side. I think Sherwood will go all out attack. We have attacking players available for this one. I hope we win this one because the next couple of games we can also win. Come on the Villa.

  7. kerryvillan
    kerryvillan August 22, 2015 at 11:53 am . Reply

    Unfortunately I have to go for 2-1 to palace because they seem a lot more organised than us as our new players still aren’t used to the prem yet, especially if vertout starts ahead of sanchez today then I think we will be overrun in the middle, not that I think vertout is a bad player just he is not up to speed yet much like Sanchez was when he 1st came to England, I actually think we have too many CM now with sanchez, Westwood, gana, vertout, Gardner, and even gil can plat there! Unless tim plans on always playing 4-3-3. Personally I would go with a 4-2-3-1 with all our players back from injury and fit my team would be
    Guzan
    Richards, okore, Clark, amavi
    Sanchez Gana
    Adama, gil, grealish
    Gestead

    That would leave 3 CM with very little game time but that 3 of adama gil and grealish is getting me very excited and if we can keep them for 2 years with amavi I think we can make massive progress.

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 August 22, 2015 at 1:24 pm . Reply

      Richards isn’t going to play RB other than in absolute extremis. Came to Villa because he was assured of CB role.

  8. pat57
    pat57 August 22, 2015 at 1:33 pm . Reply

    I’d put Sanchez in for Westwood, Jack in for Gabby and start with Gestede.

    Fancy us to pinch something so 1-2 win

    UTV

  9. Andrew
    Andrew August 22, 2015 at 2:06 pm . Reply

    Guzan
    Bacuna-Richards-Clark-Amavi

    Gana-Sanchez-Westwood

    Grealish-Gestede-Gabby

    Subs: Bunn, Baker, Sinclair, Veretout, Ayew, Traore, Hutton

  10. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN August 22, 2015 at 2:09 pm . Reply

    Glad rudys on aswell as Jack as for gabby say no more.

  11. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson August 22, 2015 at 2:24 pm . Reply

    9 minutes to go and Man utd , are drawing with Newcastle, come on Newcastle.

  12. Darren
    Darren August 22, 2015 at 2:38 pm . Reply

    I think Sanchez is the right choice for this game. Good to see Grealish back. Was hoping Gaby wouldn’t start but will hopefully put in a better shift

    Prediction
    1-1

  13. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson August 22, 2015 at 2:38 pm . Reply

    That will shut the Manx up 0-0 , come on the Villa,

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 August 22, 2015 at 2:57 pm . Reply

      With you Bill – they’ve been lucky so far plus having their own ref helps!

      Like the team TS has put out today other than I don’t think Gabby has earned his place BUT away from home counter attacking he can be a real nuisance. UTV COYL

  14. badger123
    badger123 August 22, 2015 at 3:15 pm . Reply

    Shit, Gabby had done the hard work.
    Typical of him.

  15. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN August 22, 2015 at 3:16 pm . Reply

    What the FUCK was shabby playing at FUCK him off the field.

  16. Dave67
    Dave67 August 22, 2015 at 3:19 pm . Reply

    Gabby one on one with the keeper and again he can’t score, again no end product .

  17. badger123
    badger123 August 22, 2015 at 3:22 pm . Reply

    Wahey, good play from Sanchez there.

  18. little8
    little8 August 22, 2015 at 3:23 pm . Reply

    fuckin shabby costs us more points than he gains SHITE.

  19. badger123
    badger123 August 22, 2015 at 3:27 pm . Reply

    Gana testing the goalie there.
    The team looking ok to me.

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