MX23RW : Monday, December 23 11:44:42| >> :120:45006:45006:
[monks data]
Crystal Palace logo
Premier League
Apr 25, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Hull logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-0)
N'Doye (51', 92')

Preview: Crystal Palace vs. Hull City

Sports Mole previews relegation-threatened Hull City's must-win clash away to Crystal Palace.

Hull City travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon knowing that defeat would give rise to increasing concerns that relegation looms for Steve Bruce's side.

They sit outside the danger zone on goal difference but, with no wins from their last six games, another setback would surely dampen the already-gloomy mood in the camp.



Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace's English manager Alan Pardew react as they take the lead during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park in south London on January 10, 2015© Getty Images

With five games left in the Premier League season, fans of most teams would want to see their side competing for something positive as the campaign draws to a close.

By virtue of the fact that relegation was on the cards in a season rife with instability, though, Crystal Palace supporters can have no such complaints as their side sit 11th in the table with five more dead rubbers left on the calendar.

It has been a season of two halves for Palace, who were rocked by Tony Pulis's sudden departure a matter of days before their Premier League campaign began. His successor Neil Warnock did little to steady the ship, with the Eagles sitting 18th at the time of his dismissal on December 27.

Fast forward four months and Alan Pardew, who spent four years at Selhurst Park as a player, has proven the messiah that his former club needed him to be as the Londoners sit 14 points clear of danger, with only 15 left on offer for the bottom three.

The former Newcastle United boss kicked off his managerial career at Palace with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, before beating relegation rivals Burnley 3-2 at Turf Moor to alleviate fears of dropping into the Championship.

Since then, Pardew has guided them to six wins - including a victory over reigning champions Manchester City - four defeats and one draw in a run of form that has given the fans a licence to dream about the 2015-16 campaign.

Last week's 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion ended a four-game winning streak but it was a loss that they could afford, and another setback on Saturday would not be detrimental to their season either by virtue of Pardew's impact.

This game might have looked like a relegation six-pointer back in December in a contest that could have determined who stays in the division but, much to the delight of the home fans, it is now only a must-win game for one of them.

Recent form: LWWWWL



Hull City

Swansea City's French striker Bafetimbi Gomis (3rd L) scores their second goal past Hull City's Scottish goalkeeper Allan McGregor (2nd R) during the English Premier League football match between Swansea City and Hull City at The Liberty Stadium in Swanse© Getty Images

With only goal difference separating them from the bottom three, coupled with the fact that they meet Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in their last six games, it would not be an exaggeration to suggest that Hull City's season hinges on beating Crystal Palace.

Together with a home clash against relegation rivals Burnley on May 9, Saturday's trip to Selhurst Park is arguably one of the Tigers' easier fixtures left in the calendar and dropping points is not an option for Bruce and co.

The writing has been on the wall for much of the season, but Bruce has been unable to inspire his charges to the victories needed to avoid such a precarious position.

Unlike their London counterparts, it has not been a season of two halves for Hull, who have picked up just three wins either side of the new year in a run of form that will have few surprised to learn that relegation is very much on the cards.

Four points separated them from danger in February after securing back-to-back wins over Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers, but it appears to have proven a false dawn of sorts, with the Tigers losing four and drawing two of their subsequent six.

They have had the luxury of a two-week break to assess their survival hopes due to Liverpool's involvement in the FA Cup last week, but it remains to be seen if even that is enough to breathe new life into a survival bid that may just flatline if they lose on Saturday.

Recent form: LDDLLL



Team News

Bolton Wanderers' South Korean midfielder Chung-Yong Lee (L) has a shot at goal during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Bolton Wanderers and Cardiff City on January 25, 2014© Getty Images

Lee Chung-yong could return to the dugout as he bids to make his long-awaited debut after injury curtailed his progress since making a January move from Bolton Wanderers.

Marouane Chamakh and ex-Hull hitman Fraizer Campbell remain sidelined with hamstring injuries, with Jordan Much and Jerome Thomas also doubts.

For Hull, David Meyler serves the second of a three-match ban, while Curtis Davies and Nikica Jelavic are also out with thigh and knee injuries respectively.

Gaston Ramirez could be involved, as could Mohamad Diame as he bids for a first start since December following a knee problem.

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Speroni; Dann, Delaney, Souare, Ward; Bolasie, Jedinak, McArthur, Puncheon, Zaha; Murray

Hull City possible starting lineup:
Harper; Bruce, Chester, Dawson, McShane; Diame, Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Livermore; Aluko, N'Doye



Head To Head

Hull won the reverse fixture 2-0 to curtail Palace's dominance in this fixture, with that victory representing their first in eight against the Londoners.

Prior to that, the visitors had lost four and drawn four following a 2-1 Championship win back in 2008.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Crystal Palace 2-0 Hull City

Despite Hull winning the previous meeting this season, it was against a Palace team still struggling under the stewardship of Warnock and we think Saturday's hosts will put things right with a comfortable win at Selhurst Park.



ID:218819: cacheID:218819:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:11240:
Written by
Shane Callaghan
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal players celebrate victory with the trophy after the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014
Read Next:
Five classic FA Cup semi-finals
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!