Crystal Palace (A) - Sun 14th Dec, 14:00 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[Gorbachev]

100% expecting to be seeing Rico and Silvinho tomorrow

They can play Brentford.

Real Madrid team hopefully.

You don't feel tired when your winning.

 

[MCFC1993]

Big game, just got to keep pace, Arsenal will drop plenty more points.

Win tomorrow and puts a lot of pressure on next weekend, as at the very least I think we'll be top before Arsenal play Everton (A)

I don't think we'll win tomorrow but it would be huge if we did.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

Feels like another game that shows where we are this season. Palace are really good side, well coached and Selhurst Park is an old school intimidating ground. They are also better on the road.

Hopefully we still have something left in the tank after Madrid. Feels like one of good games where the first goal is crucial. They love to play on the counter so giving something to defend is a big problem. We also owe them one after the cup final.

We have been good at times this season but we’ve had some really ropey spells in games. We didn’t start well against Madrid but did well after their goal until the 75th minute. We need to protect the ball better. Doku is a brilliant out ball for us but he needs to produce a better final ball consistently.

Last season our draw there was a let down after the win against Forest. We have a real chance to keep the pressure on Arsenal tomorrow. We’re good enough but let’s hope we turn up tomorrow.

 

[MCFC1993]

Hadn't realised Palace's flight got delayed back from Ireland. So they've really only had a day's preparation for this. Palace fans really not confident.

Still expect it to be a tough game though.

 

[foggy1974]

100% expecting to be seeing Rico and Silvinho tomorrow

Hopefully after 70 minutes when we're 3-0 up

 

[Tevez City]

Tougher than Madrid game

 

[wolviedinho]

100% expecting to be seeing Rico and Silvinho tomorrow

Great…what could possibly go wrong? -:)

 

[Cigs&Alc]

Donna
Khusa
Stones?
Gvardiol
RAN
Nico
Reijnders
Foden
Marmoush or Doku
Savinho
Haaland

Just realised I forgot about Stones' injury. Obviously Dias there if not available.

 

[citytill1die84]

Come on you bea-u-ti-ful blue bastards, let's have it.

 

[mrtwiceaseason]

Carnt put myself through the worst away journey in world football again ,going to watch it in a pub in barcelona.cheaper and quicker .

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Weds to Sun is plenty of time for recovery. Subs as and when needed. Pep’s found his preferred starting line-up and subs, so it’s same again.

We will set up in the same fluid 4-3-3 that transitions to an attacking 3-2-5, and a defensive 4-1-4-1 collapsing to a 4-5-1 defensive shell to compete with their counter attack and roving full backs.

If we create enough chances, we will win. The problem, as always, is we often operate on the one shot, one goal “policy” for the opposition!!

 

[warringtonblue]

Primarily because they set up to play on the counter, we concede goals against that sort of team. Palace always score against us. Add to that, its away from home, we've just played Madrid away and we dont really have the rotation options to keep things fresh and maintain quality.

I just think the is the sort of fixture we would have pushed through in past seasons. I dont think we have the squad to do that now.

Here's hoping im proven wrong tommorow though.

And Palace played away on Thursday night, so you think they have the squad depth to cope better than us?

 

[warringtonblue]

Big game, just got to keep pace, Arsenal will drop plenty more points.

Win tomorrow and puts a lot of pressure on next weekend, as at the very least I think we'll be top before Arsenal play Everton (A)

I don't think we'll win tomorrow but it would be huge if we did.

How can we be top before Arsenal play Everton if we don't win at Palace?

 

[Goater101]

Really excited for this game. When Pep and these lads can smell their in the title mix it’s just a completely different team. I think we will go top of the table in the new year and stay there till the end. Up the blues

 

[Bluekiwi]

I hope that Henderson gets his comeuppance after that cheating effort in the final and we stick a few into the back of his net with none at our end.

 

[Gray]

I hope that Henderson gets his comeuppance after that cheating effort in the final and we stick a few into the back of his net with none at our end.

Not his fault though was it? That was all down to the answerable to nobody PGMOL mafia.

 

[handsofstone]

Need the same XI as Madrid, this isnt a game for Reinders, Savinho or Air Nouri they're too weak

Maybe use Marmoush off the left to give Doku a bit of a rest but for me they're same XI

Palace had a cake walk on Thursday but they have a small squad and their best back 3 played 90 minutes each, while Wharton, Kamada & Pino all played, although they got taken of at HT so should be rested

Need the physicality of Nunes/NOR at full back to counter Mateta, Nketiah & Sarr (if Mateta & Sarr are fit which I think they will be)

Please play Cherki, the guy is a superstar and has only just got back into the XI, hes frwsh

 

[s1ty m]

I thought both the Villa and Newcastle games were real barometers for where we are. Lost both, albeit absolutely scammed on Tyneside and without a proper midfield at Villa. Palace is harder, arguably.

 

[Bald fraud]

Played like a bunch of of twats against the scum but it’s their cup final today!

 

[richards30]

Big game this, hopefully no Pep brain farts like starting Savinho or Rico!