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.
