As the year winds to a close, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is maintaining an air of optimism despite his side’s precarious position near the relegation zone.
While the Eagles have only suffered one defeat in their last seven Premier League matches, a run of draws has limited their upward momentum. That said, the Boxing Day stalemate against Bournemouth showcased Palace’s defensive resilience, and they now turn their focus to a clash with basement-dwelling Southampton, hoping to cap 2024 with three valuable points.
Crystal Palace boasts a strong track record in year-ending fixtures, with their last Premier League defeat in such games dating back to 2018. They’ve claimed three straight victories in these encounters, all by convincing margins. However, to continue that trend, Glasner’s men will need to overcome their recent struggles at Selhurst Park, where they haven’t won in four league outings. Encouragingly for Palace, all their opponents in that winless streak currently occupy top-half positions, suggesting they’ve faced tougher tests than Southampton represents.
For the visitors, new manager Ivan Jurić has his work cut out as Southampton find themselves nine points adrift of safety. A narrow 1-0 defeat to West Ham in Jurić’s first match in charge may not have delivered the desired result, but the Croatian tactician drew positives from his side’s performance, describing them as “better” than their opponents on the day. Whether that optimism can translate into tangible improvement remains to be seen as Southampton fight to avoid the drop.
The odds are stacked against the Saints, particularly when it comes to their away form. Their last Premier League victory on the road came nearly a year ago, in February 2023, and they’ve managed just four points from a possible 48 since then. Adding to their woes, Southampton have found the net in only one of their last five away league games. Despite this, they’ll take some encouragement from their scoring record at Selhurst Park, where they’ve struck in five of their last seven visits.
Crystal Palace will be looking to Jean-Philippe Mateta for inspiration in front of goal. The striker has shown a knack for breaking the deadlock, with his last three goals being match openers. Another such contribution here would mark his longest streak of consecutive opening goals since the 2017/18 season.
On the opposite end of the pitch, Southampton may turn to the towering presence of Paul Onuachu. Standing at 6’7″, the Nigerian striker has a history of scoring crucial openers, having done so in his last four matches where he found the net. Onuachu made only his second league start of the season during Jurić’s managerial debut and will hope to make an impact as the Saints seek a desperately needed result.
Historically, Southampton has struggled in year-ending Premier League fixtures, failing to win any of their last four. Interestingly, all those matches were against London-based teams, resulting in three draws and a loss. That trend will do little to reassure the traveling supporters as they brace for another challenging outing.
For Palace, this match represents a chance to restore confidence at home and create some breathing room from the bottom three. Meanwhile, Southampton face a must-win scenario, with every dropped point further dimming their survival hopes. With both sides desperate for a positive end to 2024, this contest promises to deliver drama as two teams at opposite ends of form and fortune collide.
The stakes are high, and the pressure is palpable. Crystal Palace will rely on their solid end-of-year record and home advantage, while Southampton’s survival instincts and Jurić’s tactical adjustments will be put to the test. Both teams have something to prove, making this a fascinating encounter for fans and neutrals alike.
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