Crystal Palace’s project under Patrick Viera did get off to a good start. While a few ups and downs seem to have entered the mix, Viera knows how to handle it out and push his team forward. However, his next assignment is not going to be an easy one as it features former European Champions Liverpool.

While Liverpool does lack a few big names in attack, they still remain as the favourites to gain the lead against Crystal Palace. But is it going to be an easy 90-minute game for the Reds or can Viera turn the ship around and make it a lot more difficult?

It’s Matchday 23 of 38

We have crossed the halfway line in the league and are now heading towards reverse fixtures that give teams a second chance to prove who they are. So without any rescheduling requirements, we have managed to get matchday 23 of 38 featuring games like Chelsea vs Tottenham, Manchester United vs West Ham and the obvious one, Crystal Palace vs Liverpool.

Despite the forgotten title race, the Reds are still in the business of three points and Palace are looking to stop that run. Both teams are vulnerable at one point or the other, making it all the more difficult to make predictions in an unpredictable league like the Premier League.

Date and Venue

Crystal Palace is set to take on Liverpool on the 23rd of January at the Selhurst Park Stadium. 

It's time for some analysis 

Palace against the ‘big six’

Barring their big win against Manchester City, Crystal Palace has failed to beat any other side that is usually called the big six in the Premier League. They have either drawn against these teams or faced a loss as they find it hard to match up with the quality that they put in. Due to that, Palace is going to find it hard when they come up against the quality of the Reds, even though they lack key figures in attack.

Viera needs to come up with a plan that will prevent the Reds from making those sprints or even allowing their centre backs to make those fine passes to the forward line. Hence, Palace needs to hold their midfield together and strengthen their defence.

Can Liverpool manage with their missing men?

When your team lacks the favoured front line, things are bound to change regardless of whoever you bring in from the bench, especially when you are replacing Mohamed Salah, who is arguably the best player in the world right now. However, the Reds have the likes of Diogo Jota, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Takumi Minamino and Roberto Firmino, who can cover up at least when it comes to teams like Crystal Palace.

So the burden is still on Palace to get things moving and promote their home crowd to rally behind them. With odds going against them, Palace really needs to turn things upside down and spring up a surprise that will leave everyone shocked, including the ones choosing their fantasy teams, the ones sliding with football betting and so on. 

Palace’s missing men

Palace, like Liverpool, also has a few names missing with Wilfred Zaha, Jordan Ayew and Cheikhou Kouyate out of the squad as they represent their respective countries at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Out of all these players, Zaha might be sorely missed as Palace often builds their attack around him. 

Zaha is known to rattle up defences and also cause a problem or two with defenders each time he comes across them. So missing Zaha would be huge and that stands to be another problem that Palace will have to deal with.

Players to look out for

• Conor Gallagher

If there was one name that Palace fans would like to see on the scoresheet, it ought to be Conor Gallagher. The midfielder has had a sensational run at Palace and has been one of the best in the Patrick Viera school of rebuilding. His performances have been phenomenal and are also one of the leading goalscorers for Palace.

• Odsonne Edouard

Coming close to Gallagher, we have Odsonne Edouard who is also on the sheet for leading the line in terms of goals and helping the club proceed forward. Edouard stands out as an obvious threat and can rattle any defence that is trying to prevent play and gain position. 

• Trent Alexander-Arnold 

The debate around the best right-back in the league tends to go on and on as fans suggest different kinds of names. Out of the suggestions, a common one seems to be that of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 23-year old has always proven to be what Liverpool lacked at the right-back, thereby combining defence with a solid attacking ability. 

• Diogo Jota

In the absence of Salah and Mane, Jota is the one who will be tasked with the mission to step up and lead the line in terms of scoring goals. The Portuguese forward has found the net several times this season and continues to lead the Reds. So don’t be surprised if he continues scoring again on Sunday.

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: Head-to-head

Crystal Palace doesn’t enjoy a great record against the Reds as they have found winning against Liverpool to be a difficult task. Of the 25 games played between both these teams, Palace has managed to win 5 and only 3 have been drawn.

Teams	Crystal Palace	Liverpool
Total Wins	5	17
Home	2	9
Away	3	8

As you can see, the stats don’t seem to align with Palace and points towards Liverpool to take all three points, especially when they have a good away record. Since this encourages everyone to place their money on the Reds, you can also do so by checking out BritainBet.

Crystal Palace Vs Liverpool: Recent Meetings

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace - 3-0 (18th September 2021)

https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1439255819808292868

Crystal Palace failed to match the intensity of Liverpool as goals from Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita ensured that Palace’s trip to Anfield would end up with the Reds taking all three points. 

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace - 2-0 (23rd May 2021)

https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1396510020821569539

The last season between these two sides ended in a similar fashion with Liverpool taking the lead thanks to two goals from Mane. Hence, it is fair to say that Palace doesn’t have the best moments at Anfield. 

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool - 0-7 (19th December 2020)

https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1340299018874859521

One of the biggest defeats in Crystal Palace’s history, at home, took place on the 19th of December when the Reds decided to score as many as seven goals. Minamino, Firmino, Salah, Henderson and Mane were the ones responsible for doing all the damage.