Having picked up no point form their last four games in the league against top-6 opponents, Crystal Palace will now look to stitch a decent run together, to end the season on a high and move out of the drop zone. Roy Hodgson’s men are currently 18th, just a point of safety, and face a tricky test as they travel to Kirklees Stadium to take on Huddersfield Town, who have been hard to beat this season and are themselves not that far away from the bottom three.
The Terriers have lost just one of their last four games and are fresh from a 0-0 draw against Swansea City. They are not an easy team to play at home but Palace have shown enough fight recently and will genuinely believe that they can take something from this game. Hodgson is expected to field his strongest XI and here is the predicted lineup he might play in this clash.
Crystal Palace Team News
The Eagles have a number of first team stars out injured at the moment. The likes of Jason Puncheon, Scott Dann, Joel Ward, Julian Speroni and Bakary Sako are all ruled out for this game. However, they will welcome both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Yohan Cabaye back from injury as the duo is now fit to start for the Eagles.
Crystal Palace Expected Lineup (4-4-2)
Defence
Wayne Hennessey has been the preferred choice under the bar for Palace this season and is expected to retain his place in the first team this weekend. James Tomkins and Martin Kelly have played at the back in recent games. Hodgson might not want to tinker with the partnership for this crunch tie.
Patrick van Aanholt, who has incidentally scored in losing causes in the last two games, should keep his place at left-back while young Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has impressed in the last two games, could retain his place at right-back.
Midfield
Though Cabaye and Loftus-Cheek are back, Palace are expected to stick with the duo of James McArthur and Luka Milivojevic in the starting XI this week, to add some mettle and calm to their lineup.
Andros Townsend is expected to trouble the Terriers from the right side of the midfield while Jeffery Schlupp, who has been effective in a midfield role, should start on the left side of the midfield four.
Attack
Wilfried Zaha will be the talisman for Palace with his pace and trickery. Christian Benteke, who needs to find his form quickly, could continue to lead the line for Palace.
Here is how they might line up:
