When Stoke City travelled to Anfield for the opening fixture of this season’s Premier League, they would have been cautiously optimistic of their chances- after all, their record against The Reds in the last couple of season’s had been good. However, an insipid display means that The Potters have to find their feet, and quickly.
What better chance to do that, than against a newly promoted Crystal Palace side who were unlucky to lose at home to a toothless Tottenham side sans their star man Gareth Bale. The Eagles defended doggedly, but had little to show in return for their hard work. When these two sides meet on Saturday, both of them will be looking to open their accounts this season.
What to expect from the Match
A Scrappy Affair…
None of the two teams are known for their free flowing football, and with Stoke being convincingly outplayed last week by Liverpool, even though the score line suggests otherwise, expect Stoke to return to their trusted and proven methodology-launch long balls into the box and hope that their towering forwards outmuscle the opposition defenders to the ball.
Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway employed a direct form of football during his time at Blackpool, and has subsequently employed the same at Palace. Palace have been hit hard by WilfriedZaha finally moving to Manchester United. The winger was a huge part of the Eagles’ promotional campaign. Without him, they lack a creative presence in the attack who can get his teammates involved.So, it’s more likely than not going to be a clash of similar philosophies.
Whoever wins more headers is likely to edge the game? Seems plausible.
Players to watch out for
Jonathan Walters (Stoke City):The Irishman missed a crucial penalty against Liverpool last weekend, which meant that Stoke had to come away from Anfield empty-handed. However, expect him to bounce back, and bully the Palace defense with his highly-effective physical style couple with great shooting ability. He should be a real handful for the Palace defense.
MarouaneChamakh (Crystal Palace):The biggest problem for Chamakhwas that while in France, he benefited from what was a more direct style of play- he received a lot of service from wide areas, at Arsenal, he had to adapt to an attacking style where the ball was played on the ground through the middle of the pitch. With Crystal Palaceusing a pretty direct style, it should be a major benefit to Chamakh and this could be a big year for him.
Predicted Starting line ups
Stoke City: Stoke are likely to make a change to the side that took on Liverpool last week, with Marc Wilson being replaced by the more attacking minded Charlie Adam in midfield. Otherwise, expect Stoke to field the same 4-3-3 formation that they have grown accustomed to.
Crystal Palace:Place should make a couple of changes from last Sunday, and they should bring in more firepower upfront, replacing Wilbraham and Gayle with Phillips and Chamakh. Other than that, there isn’t much that Holloway can do with the squad that he has.
Predictions
Stoke should narrowly edge this scrappy affair. Crystal Place seem to lack the bite or the physicality to trouble this Stoke defense, so expect Stoke to keep a clean sheet, with Walters grabbing the winner.
Stoke City 1-0 Crystal Palace
(Walters)