Big game, this is the kind of game differentiate title challenge and 4th spot contender. Last season we missed out in similar games like this, let's hope we do better this time. Sarri will probably have a particular plan for Zaha, he usually keep one of his best game for us

Preliminary thoughts:

1) A lot of posters here have correctly noted that Crystal Palace have taken points off us in every season except 2014-15. However, the last few times there have been mitigating factors. In 2015-16 we were too busy imploding to actually play football, the 2016-17 loss against an Allardyce side (for mine a better manager than Hodgson) was down to a five minute spell of poor defending and Wayne Hennessey channelling his inner Buffon, while the 2017-18 loss away was partially down to an in-form Zaha, Kante being absent and also having Special Agent Bakayoko in midfield. This squad is far from falling apart, Kante is available and I don't expect Hennessey to play that well again. 

2) Nonetheless, there are a few issues. The fitness of our attackers is in doubt for various reasons and I expect Zaha in particular to present a real problem for Azpi. Hodgson may also use a 4-1-4-1, which poses some difficulties for Sarri's 4-3-3 as the wide midfielders in a 4-1-4-1 can provide extra protection against our wide attackers. 

3) As noted, Crystal Palace have been fairly toothless in attack. If you keep Zaha quiet and not give away penalties, their chances of scoring are greatly reduced. I would therefore expect Kante to play on the same flank as Azpi to provide extra defensive protection against Zaha. 

4) Ultimately we really should be winning this game but you can never say never. As per usual, 3 points is a must. 

Match day and a tricky game.We will have a lot of the ball and they will play on the break,as they do at home.We should have the most chances,we just need to take them.Will be good to see the usual defence back,the Derby game was an eye opener.....COME ON YOU BLUES !

2 hours ago, TheBluesBrother said:

I was thinking more on the field. Zaha worries me.

Yea I know mate it was an early morning joke, yes agree with you, I've seen us get beaten three times by this lot in last couple of years, zaha seems to bring his A game for us, mind you our possession game this season may lead to him not getting ball much, any way on way to bridge a few pre match beers and it will calm the nerves

Palace always seem to manage a win against us, so this could be Sarri's first defeat. Hoping for a 5-0 obviously, but will take a scrappy 2-1.

Of the last 14 games we have won 10 and Palace 4. At home of the last 10 we have won 6, lost 2 and drew 2. 

We hadn't beaten Newcastle away since 2011. Beat them this season.

The last seasons under Conte we had a poor record vs Arsenal. We beat them.

This season is the season we break records and dominate teams. Up the Sarri.

Edited November 4, 20187 yr by enigma

time we gave this lot a good beating !! going into second place and getting their noses in front of the scouse should be well enough incentive !!

to contribute to the forum, I was thinking of posting live streams. but is this allowed?

3 minutes ago, mombasa said:

to contribute to the forum, I was thinking of posting live streams. but is this allowed?

Most Definitely.. And well appreciated

Barkley keeps his spot, Hazard on the bench 

Don't tell me we don't need a striker in January. Jesus wept how can it be that we have left ourselves with just Morata.

Same first 11 as I predicted.

lets hope we get off to a flyer 

3 minutes ago, coco said:

Don't tell me we don't need a striker in January. 

Could be Giroud had a knock, worst case can play Hazard through the middle I guess. How's Bats doing at Valencia. wouldn't be surprised if we recalled him, no quality strikers available in Jan I wouldn't think 

City are 3 nil up.... 18 mins gone

2 things you can count on in life....one day yr gonna die..and Zaha plays a blinder and scores against Chelsea... KTBFFH!!! 

Crystal Palace have this habit of beating us recently so I’m a bit weary. Zaha especially seems to turn it on when playing against us

Yeah that f**ker has a hard-on for us.......and they love meeting us somehow. No way we will allow them getting away with it again......the refs will but we must not. A great chance to go over the dippers.

You just have to look at City's record vs Palace as a similar comparison to how we will play against them under Sarri. City have matched up well against them for many years now, especially under Pep. 

7 minutes ago, enigma said:

You just have to look at City's record vs Palace as a similar comparison to how we will play against them under Sarri. City have matched up well against them for many years now, especially under Pep. 

Its pep with untold Cash behind him........they will do most teams while sleeping under pep. The day he f**ks off the better.

This smells like a draw, hopefully someone surprises and we start off with a bang in the first half...

We will stuff them fcukers. 4-0 or 5-0 for us. Send them back to their sh*tohle (tbf "south london" aint that bad compared to north london or stratford  but you get the idea haha) !! UTC !!!

Or it could be a tricky game again and we lose our first game of the season

Just now, Londonisblue said:

We will stuff them fcukers. 4-0 or 5-0 for us. Send them back to their sh*tohle (tbf "south london" aint that bad compared to north london or stratford  but you get the idea haha) !! UTC !!!

Lets hope it will be so.......we need the 3pts.