Crystal Palace host Leicester at Selhurst Park this weekend in one of the 3pm kickoffs as the Premier League returns from the International break.
Neither side have been able to hit the ground running this season, with both teams on 1 draw and 2 losses so far, so this could be a high-scoring affair between two sides that are struggling to find the net, but are equally leaky at the back.
Match Preview
Crystal Palace Recent Form
Palace's draw against Chelsea before the International break ensured that they didn't go three games without a point so far this season, but with Michael Olise and Jordan Ayew having left the club during the summer transfer window the Eagles have been struggling to consistently score goals.
Jean Phillipe Mateta had a strong Olympics campaign with France, but he has been unable to recreate that domestically.
Last Crystal Palace Lineup
Henderson, Clyne, Guehi, Richards, Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell, Kamada, Eze, Mateta.
Crystal Palace Injury News
Palace currently have four players that won't be available for the home game on Saturday, with Matheus Franca out with a Chest/Abdominal Injury and Chadi Riad out with a knee injury.
There is some home that Adam Wharton will be able to make a return this weekend, with Palace desperately missing his strengths in the middle of the park with Doucoure still finding his feet after his own injury troubles.
Leicester City Recent Form
Leicester come back after the International break following a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, and they too have been wasteful in front of goal when they get the chance this season.
As noted the Foxes have the exact same record as Palace just three games into the season, but the loss to Fulham will have stung the most for the East Midlands side as they're potential relegation candidates that Leicester could be competing with at the bottom come May.
Last Leicester City Lineup
Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen, Winks, Skipp, Issahaku, Ndidi, Ayew, Vardy.
Leicester City Injury News
Leicester currently have two reported players out ahead of the weekend, with both Jakub Stolarczyk and Patson Daka out with Ankle/Foot Injuries.
Crystal Palace v Leicester - who is the referee and VAR?
Referee: Tony Harrington
Assistants: Marc Perry, Derek Eaton
Fourth official: Simon Hooper
VAR: Andy Madley
Assistant VAR: Mark Scholes
Players To Watch
Crystal Palace Player To Watch
Eberechi Eze is Palace's strongest player and the best creative spark that they have going forward. The Eagles will be looking towards him to produce chances for Mateta and potentially Eddie Nketiah this weekend, who signed from Arsenal during the summer.
Leicester City Player To Watch
Jamie Vardy, despite being 37, can still do damage going forward. He'll struggle being able to get in behind off the shoulder with Palace's back three having pace, but he has been able to navigate on the pitch against stronger defensive sides so he could do damage.
Prediction
Both sides have been struggling to score this season but they're equally fairly weak at the back. Both will believe that this is winnable so there could actually be a fair few goals here, so we're predicting that Palace will just edge it 3-2.
Betting Tips
Tip 1: Crystal Palace to win and Total goals over 2.5
Logic: Crystal Palace have won 4 of their last 6 home games (including the end of the 23/24 season). Leicester City have lost 4 of their last 6 away games (again including the end of the 23/24 season). In 4 of Crystal Palace’s last 6 home games, there have been over 2 goals scored.
Tip 2: Crystal Palace to win
Logic: Again Crystal Palace have won 4 of their last 6 home games. Leicester City have lost 4 of their last 6 away games.
Tip 3: Total goals over 2.5
Logic: In 4 of Crystal Palace's last 6 home games, there have been over 2 goals scored.
