Crystal Palace vs Norwich City preview, predictions & team news
Two sides in desperate need of some consistency meet in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Crystal Palace and Norwich City have taken major scalps already this season, beating Manchester United and Manchester City respectively, yet they find themselves in the bottom half of the table.
The Eagles and the Canaries have each won just two of their six matches so far, so both teams will be desperate to gather some momentum with a victory when they meet on Saturday.
Read on for our preview, predictions, key men, teams news and more.
When is Crystal Palace vs Norwich and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Selhurst Park
Date: Saturday, 28 September 2019
Kick-off: 3:00 PM BST
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Crystal Palace vs Norwich
9 April 2016: Crystal Palace 1-0 Norwich (Premier League)
8 August 2015: Norwich 1-3 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
1 January 2014: Crystal Palace 1-1 Norwich (Premier League)
30 November 2013: Norwich 1-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
29 January 2011: Crystal Palace 0-0 Norwich (Championship)
Aggregate Score: Crystal Palace (WWDLD) 5-3 Norwich (LLDWD)
Ones to watch
Crystal Palace: Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha is yet to provide a goal or an assist in seven appearances across all competitions this season. Palace need their talisman to start firing in order to steer clear from danger this season. With no sign of any team replicating the low points tallies of Huddersfield Town and Fulham last year, clubs that have previously been safe – including Palace – could be in big trouble this term, especially if star players don’t begin to produce.
Key stat: No player has completed more dribbles (26) or won more fouls (23) than Zaha in the Premier League this season.
Norwich: Emiliano Buendia
Buendia has been one of the stand-out players in this sporadically impressive Norwich side since their promotion to the Premier League. The Argentinian has registered four assists in seven appearances so far and will be looking to service Teemu Pukki once again at Selhurst Park this weekend. His creativity could prove crucial to a Norwich side that has scored just once on the road all season. That simply must improve if they are to move up the table.
Key stat: Buendia has made 92 successful passes ending in the final third in the Premier League this term, at least 15 more than any other Norwich player.
Team news
Crystal Palace
James Tomkins featured for the Under-23s in the week and could return to the first-team squad. James McCarthy missed last weekend’s draw with Wolves and remains a doubt, while Connor Wickham is unlikely to be involved.
Predicted XI: Guaita; Ward, Cahill, Sakho, Van Aanholt; Zaha, McArthur, Milivojevic, Kouyate, Schlupp; Ayew.
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Norwich
Centre-back Grant Hanley could make his first start since suffering a groin injury but a number of Norwich players remain sidelined: Alex Tettey (groin), Mario Vrancic (calf), Tom Trybull (ankle), Christoph Zimmermann (foot), Timm Klose (knee), Onel Hernandez (knee) and Tim Krul (back). Ralf Fahrmann is a doubt.
Predicted XI: McGovern; Byram, Hanley, Godfrey, Lewis; Leitner, McLean; Buendia, Stiepermann, Cantwell; Pukki.
Squawka prediction
Palace have struggled for goals at home, but Norwich’s ever-changing back line will give the hosts some confidence, especially if Zaha is on his game. That said, the Canaries are always a threat when Buendia and Pukki are in possession, meaning Palace may well have to settle for another disappointing home draw.
Scoreline prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Norwich
