Crystal Palace have been able to pick up the results and
pull clear of the bottom three for the time being despite having major problems
in scoring goals this season. They are currently in 16th place with 20 points
and have scored the fewest goals in the league with just 14, and come into
Tuesday’s match having lost in the FA Cup 2-1 at Wigan Athletic.
Even though Hull City may seem to be safe in 11th place they
are just three points above Crystal Palace with 23 points so far this season.
Hull are not a team that travel very well, and they have scored just seven away
goals and allowed a whopping 20 in 22 matches. Their record away from home has
seen them win just once and draw only two matches and they have been shut out
six times in the Premier League, but they are coming in to this match after a
much needed confidence boost in their 2-0 FA Cup win away to Southend.
What to expect
Crystal Palace and Hull, both of whom had gained promotion
last season, are converging together due to their recent differing runs of form
after vastly different fortunes at the start of the season. Palace are now out
of the relegation zone and could join Hull on 23 points with a win, which makes
this game another 6-pointer in the battle against the drop.
Jonathan Parr was subbed off in Palace’s FA Cup loss to
Wigan at the weekend with a neck problem, and could be replaced by Dean Moxey
at left-back. Otherwise, Tony Pulis has little to contend with and could stick
with a similar team to that which beat Stoke in their last Premier League game
and Cameron Jerome could start up front in a 4-4-2 formation.
For Hull, Paul McShane is expected to play in place of the
injured James Chester at centre-back. Tom Huddlestone served his suspension in
the FA Cup at the weekend and will be back in central midfield here. Recent
signing Shane Long could make his Hull debut from the bench.
Match Prediction
This game represents a fantastic chance for Palace to take
another huge step towards safety given the fact that no team have gained fewer
points on the road this season than Hull (5). They could well manage another
narrow victory but a draw seems like the most probable outcome.
Crystal Palace 1-1
Hull City
