Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
Premier League 2019/20 season
Venue: Selhurst Park
Date: Saturday, 31st August, 2019
Kick-off time: 3pm BST
Crystal Palace return to Premier League action against Aston Villa at Selhurst Park this weekend with Roy Hodgson wondering which version of his team will turn up.
Palace sit 10th in the table with four points from three games, with a shock 2-1 win at Manchester United last weekend boosting confidence at the club.
The worry for Hodgson is that the win at Old Trafford was sandwiched in between a meek 1-0 League loss at Sheffield United and an embarrassing EFL Cup penalty shootout exit to League Two side Colchester United.
While victories such as those at United are of course welcome, they are not necessarily the sort of result to bank on if Palace want to avoid another relegation battle - and Saturday's clash with Villa will likely prove to be a better marker of where the Eagles really stand.
Team news and predicted lineups
Mamadou Sakho has returned to first-team training to boost Hodgson's defensive options.
The Frenchman is unlikely to be risked this weekend, but should be a realistic option after the international break.
James Tomkins is also training alone and closing in on a return, but Scott Dann is a doubt with a hand injury.
With Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham failing to impress in midweek, Jordan Ayew will have a chance to build on his impressive performance at Old Trafford.
As for Villa, Matt Targett (thigh) and Jaes Chester (thigh) are both out, but Jonathan Kodija (ankle) could be back in contention.
Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Kelly, Cahill, Van Aanholt, Milivojevic, McCarthur, Schlupp, Townsend, Zaha, Ayew
Aston Villa XI: Heaton; Guilbert, Engels, Mings, Taylor; Luis; Jota, McGinn, Grealish, Trezeguet; Wesley
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Aston Villa
This is the sort of game in which Palace are expected to be on the front foot looking for the result - that could leave them open at the back on the break.
Expect a cagey contest, and possibly a score draw - it would be no surprise to see Luka Milivojevic put away a penalty.
Tickets
Click here for more information about Palace tickets.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Palace to win: 6/5
- Draw: 12/5
- Villa to win: 12/5
First goal scorer
- Wilfried Zaha: 13/2
- Luka Milivojevic: 7/1
- Jordan Ayew: 7/1
- Wesley: 17/2
TV channel and live stream information
The match will not be televised live in the UK due to TV blackout restrictions on Saturdays between 2:45pm and 5:15pm.
You can follow all the action and analysis on Standard Sport's LIVE blog with Jack Rosser at Selhurst Park.
Head to head (h2h) results and history
Villa edge the results here with 18 wins to Palace's 11, along with 14 draws.
The last time the two sides met at Selhurst back in August 2015, Palace won 2-1 courtesy of goals crom Scott Dann and Bakary Sako.
