THE Premier League returns on Saturday as Crystal Palace welcome Liverpool to the Selhurst Park. Ben Levene (@BenLevene96) shares his best bets.
Crystal Palace v Liverpool | Saturday 31st March 2018, 12:30 | Sky Sports
After a tricky run of consecutive games against Tottenham (h), Man Utd (h), Chelsea (a), Crystal Palace managed to temporarily get their head above water with a win away at Huddersfield last time out.
Although they lost their three games prior to that, all were by just the single goal. Things don’t get much easier this weekend as The Eagles host Liverpool.
Palace are by no means safe, but it’s fair to say they aren’t in the divisions worst three-sides in terms of performances or numbers. Injuries haven’t been kind either.
Roy Hodgson has his team organised. Everyone knows their roles and they’ll battle away. Palace most certainly won’t be rolled over, especially not at Selhurst Park.
With Wilfried Zaha back, and Christian Benteke and Andros Townsend always a threat, Hodgson will no doubt ensure his side are defensively sound, in the knowledge he has players that can produce match-winning moments over 90 minutes.
Under Hodgson Palace’s Premier League record at Selhurst Park is W4-D5-L3. While the three losses came v top-six sides, they’ve beaten Chelsea and held Man City on home soil. Crucially, the three defeats were by just the single goal, which brings the +1 Asian Handicap into play at a handy 15/14. Only once in their last seven against top-six sides have they lost by more than one goal, and that was in a freak game at The Emirates where they were 4-0 down after 22 minutes.
Liverpool currently hold a strong hand in terms of the top-four race. They’re seven-points clear of 5th placed Chelsea and with the Blues hosting Spurs this Sunday, there’s scope for Jurgen Klopp’s side to widen the margin.
The Reds host Man City in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday before travelling to Everton next weekend, so it’s a big week ahead.
Goals to flow
Away at non top-six sides this season, Liverpool’s record reads W8-D2-L1. Those 11 games reap an average of 3.63 goals per game.
Palace have scored in 15 of the last 17 games under Hodgson, with the exceptions coming against Man City and Spurs who boast two of the divisions best three defensive records.
They’ve scored at least two goals in seven of those 15 games, which is impressive considering they have been without Zaha at times.
Best Bets
Crystal Palace v Liverpool – Crystal Palace +1 Asian Handicap (15/14 Bet Victor)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool – Over 3.5 Goals (31/20 Betfair)
