Crystal Palace have a significantly higher win rate percentage in the Premier League without captain Luka Milivojevic.
That's according to a study from betting firm Sporting Index, which has shown that the Eagles' win rate is actually 20% higher when their skipper has not been in the side for Premier League games.
This season, Milivojevic has missed six top flight games through suspension or injury, with Palace winning three of those matches, with two draws and just one defeat in the games without the Serbian.
In his absence, former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has captained the side on occasion and earned plaudits from supporters, with some hailing him as a natural leader.
In the 23 Premier League games Milivojevic has featured this season, Palace have won seven of them, with seven draws and nine defeats.
Milivojevic is one of seven captains of Premier League sides whose clubs actually have a better win rate percentage without them, including Manchester United's Harry Maguire and Burnley's Ben Mee.
Since Ashley Young left Manchester United in January, Maguire has a 33% win rate as skipper compared to United’s impressive 60% victory rate without him.
Burnley's win rate without Mee in the side is 69% better than with him, albeit he rarely misses a game for the Clarets.
At the other end of the scale, Aston Villa, Brighton and Wolves struggle most without their leaders, as they all have a 0% win rate without Jack Grealish, Lewis Dunk and Conor Coady respectively.
However, all three have only missed two or fewer matches each during their time in the Premier League as club captains.
Of the traditional ‘top six’ clubs, Arsenal, along with Liverpool, Manchester City and Spurs, are the other sides to perform better with than without their captain. Chelsea have recorded a marginally higher percentage of wins without Cesar Azpilicueta (2%).
