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Crystal Palace are set to host Southampton at the Selhurst Park Stadium on Saturday in their opening English Premier League (EPL) fixture.
This is the first league match of the season for both sides. Crystal Palace last played Tottenham Hotspur in an official league game in July and drew 1-1. Harry Kane scored for Jose Mourinho's side, with Jeffrey Schlupp equalising for Crystal Palace.
Southampton, on the other hand, beat Sheffield United 3-1 in July in the last league game of the 2019-20 season. A brace from Che Adams and a Danny Ings penalty secured the win for Ralph Hasenhuttl's men. John Lundstram scored the consolation goal for Sheffield United.
Crystal Palace vs Southampton Head-to-Head
In 28 previous encounters between the two sides, Southampton hold the clear advantage. The Saints have won 14 games, lost nine and drawn five.
Their most recent match ended in a 2-0 victory for Southampton. Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong scored to seal victory for the Saints.
Crystal Palace form guide: yet to play
Southampton form guide: yet to play
Crystal Palace vs Southampton Team News
Crystal Palace's new signings Eberichi Eze and Nathan Ferguson are both nursing injuries, and it remains to be seen whether they will be fit. Centre-back Gary Cahill is not available, while fellow centre-backs Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins are both doubts. Striker Christian Benteke and left-back Patrick van Aanholt are injured as well.
Injured: Nathan Ferguson, Gary Cahill
Doubtful: Eberichi Eze, Mamadou Sakho, James Tomkins, Christian Benteke, Patrick van Aanholt
Suspended: None
Meanwhile, Southampton have no known injury issues and manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is expected to have a fully fit squad at his disposal.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
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Crystal Palace vs Southampton Predicted XI
Crystal Palace Predicted XI (4-4-2): Vicente Guaita, Joel Ward, Cheikhou Kouyate, Scott Dann, Jeffrey Schlupp, Andros Townsend, Luka Milivojevic, Max Meyer, James McCarthy, Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha
Southampton Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alex McCarthy, Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek, Mohammed Salisu, Ryan Bertrand, Stuart Armstrong, James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu, Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings, Che Adams
Crystal Palace vs Southampton Prediction
Crystal Palace are dealing with a few injury issues to key players. Forward Wilfried Zaha will be key for Roy Hodgson's side, as has been the case for some time now. Despite the winger's repeated attempts to leave Palace, he has not been successful, and looks likely to stay.
Southampton, on the other hand, have impressed under Ralph Hasenhuttl. The arrival of Kyle Walker-Peters and Mohammed Salisu shores up the defence, while there are rumours that the Saints are in the market for a midfielder, having sold Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Tottenham Hotspur.
Southampton are expected to be too strong for Crystal Palace in this encounter and should emerge with a comfortable away victory.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-3 Southampton
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