Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Premier League fixture at Selhurst Park

Mario Balotelli (left) is substituted by Brendan Rodgers (right) (EPA)

Liverpool return to Selhurst Park for the first time since their title-crushing 3-3 draw at the end of last season hoping to end a three game winless streak. The Reds have won just two in their last eight Premier League games that leaves them sitting eleventh in the league.

LIVE: Crystal Palace vs Liverpool latest

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Daniel Sturridge, who until this week was set to return for this game, now faces being side-lined through injury until the new year. Liverpool may have to look for goals from their joint top scorers this season, Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling; both on three -with the captain scoring twice in the clubs last three meetings.

Palace are themselves without a win in their last five games; their last victory coming against Leicester back in September. Warnock’s defence has looked shaky of late, conceding ten goals in their last five Premier League games.

Liverpool will be hoping to secure a win that will finally start to push them closer towards the top four whilst Palace need to avoid a loss if they want to stay clear of the relegation zone.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 1.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Crystal Palace 3 (Delaney, Gayle 2) Liverpool 3 (Allen, Delaney (og), Suarez), Premier League, May 2014

Liverpool 3 (Suarez, Sturridge, Gerrard) Crystal Palace 1 (Gayle), Premier League, October 2013

Crystal Palace 2 (Freedman, Reich) Liverpool 1 (Gerrard), Carling Cup, October 2005

STATS…

Liverpool are one of two teams, along with Aston Villa, not to have recovered any points from losing positions.

Palace’s only victory in the Premier League came in 2005 thanks to an Andy Johnson header.

Liverpool have not won in any of their last five visits to Selhurst Park.

Palace have conceded a league-high 57% of goals from set pieces.

ODDS…

Palace to win: 3.5

Liverpool to win: 0.90

Draw: 2.6

CLASSIC MOMENT/MATCH

When Liverpool were 3-0 up and cruising at Selhurst Park last year everybody believed they still had a chance at snatching the title from Manchester City. But 11 frantic minutes saw Palace battle back to 3-3 to leave Luis Suarez in tears and their travelling support stunned into silence.

Joe Allen’s early goal coupled with Suarez’s strike and Damien Delaney’s own goal set Liverpool well on their way to a maximum three points. Cue a Palace fight-back. Damien Delaney’s long-range effort pulled one back before Tony Pulis sent on super-sub Dwight Gayle whose two goals in seven minutes generated heartbreak for Liverpool.

TV: Sky Sports 1 at 1.30pm, Highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm