Aston Villa host Crystal Palace on Saturday with both teams hoping for three points for very different reasons.
Dean Smith’s team have been impressive in the Premier League this term, winning 3-0 against West Brom last time out to move into the top half of the table. They could go as high as the top six if they win this one too - and they still have a game in hand over several teams around them.
It’s all in stark contrast to the struggles of last season and the manager has done exceptionally well to gel the new players into the team and get them playing a far more adventurous, attack-minded brand of football while producing even better results than before.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, were thrashed 7-0 by Liverpool at home last weekend, so have had a full week to sit and stew on that result. On the one hand, that was a first loss in four for Roy Hodgson’s team - but on the other, it was a record-breaking loss and means they’ve taken one win in six of late. A response is required and this is the continuation of a tricky run of games, with Leicester to come next.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.
When is the match?
The game kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, 26 December at Villa Park.
Where can I watch it?
This fixture will be shown live on BBC One and BBC One HD. It can also be streamed via the BBC iPlayer for viewers with a valid television licence.
What is the team news?
Villa will be hopeful of having Ross Barkley back after his recent injury absence, while Ezri Konsa could also return in defence after illness. The rest of the team is likely to remain untouched after a solid win over the Baggies.
Palace could rotate heavily after their walloping at home by the Reds. Christian Benteke is back from suspension, while Jairo Riedewald and James Tomkins are among those hoping to come into the team. Gary Cahill could miss out, while Joel Ward will likely replace Nathaniel Clyne at right-back.
Predicted line-ups
AST: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; Traore, Grealish, El Ghazi; Watkins.
PAL: Guaita; Ward, Kouyate, Tomkins, Van Aanholt; Townsend, Milivojevic, Riedewald, Schlupp; Zaha, Benteke.
Odds
Aston Villa - 42/41
Draw - 56/19
Crystal Palace - 3/1
Prediction
Villa’s home form has been more sketchy than their away form, but their confidence should be at the opposite end of the scale to Palace’s and the forward line now has competition for places as well as individuals showing what they are capable of on a regular basis. Villa 2-0 Palace
