After an eventless 0-0 draw against Watford, Crystal Palace, who are currently just six points off the drop zone, will want to end the season on a strong note but face a tricky test this weekend, when they face Claude Puel’s Leicester City, who have won just two of their last 10 league games. The Foxes have no real chance of breaking into Europe this season and have nothing much to play for in the rest of the season.
But The Eagles can move up the points table and even into the top half of the table if they can finish the season on a high. They have won two of their last five games and are unbeaten in their last three and will go into this game high on confidence.
But Puel’s side have an exciting side and are sure to test the hosts in this game. Here is the predicted lineup Roy Hodgson might field for this tie:
Team News
In early team news, Hodgson is still without the services of Bakary Sako, Jason Puncheon and Scott Dann, all of who are long-term absentees. Jeffrey Schlupp lacks match fitness but might make it to the squad this weekend.
Expected lineup (4-4-2)
Defence
Wayne Hennessey was Palace’s best player in the draw against Watford and will hope to put in a similar performance this weekend against The Foxes. With Dann still out injured, Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins are expected to retain their places at the heart of the backline for Palace.
Patrick van Aanholt is a regular presence at left-back and will start there while Joel Ward, who had a tough night against Watford, might be replaced by the energetic Aaron wan-Bissaka for this clash.
Midfield
Luka Milivojevic has been crucial to Palace’s system under Hodgson and the Serbian should keep his place in the midfield alongside Yohan Cabaye, who is slowly finding his feet in the first team, late this season.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been effective on the left side of the midfield and should retain his place in the side for this weekend while Andros Townsend, who has been used in an attacking role, might replace James McArthur on the right side of the midfield.
Attack
Wilfried Zaha has not been at his best in the last couple of games but will still be the danger man for Leicester City in this game. He will play a support role to Christian Benteke, who came off the bench and made a difference in the last game.
