[ad_pod ]
Crystal Palace host Brighton at Selhurst Park on Saturday in the second M23 derby of the season and they will be hoping that they can record a far better performance than the one they produced last time out against their bitter rivals.
Brighton dominated the last meeting and emerged 3-1 victors despite being reduced to 10 men; Palace, rejuvenated by the January signing of Michy Batshuayi and Wilfried Zaha’s timely return to form, will be determined to ensure the result isn’t repeated this weekend.
Eagles boss Roy Hodgson shocked the fans by making five big changes to his starting XI for the Burnley clash – all of which proved effective to at least some degree – but it would be a surprise if the lineup remained the same one week later.
We look at two key changes Hodgson must make to his starting XI this Saturday…
James McArthur for Max Meyer
Hodgson’s reluctance to hand Max Meyer an extended run in the starting XI has seen the former England boss receive criticism from the Selhurst Park faithful, particularly considering the impact and impetus the German has provided when coming off the bench.
The 23-year-old is far more technically capable than the other Palace midfielders and his close control means he can work in and out of small spaces brilliantly, although that won’t be what the Eagles need on Saturday, particularly in the early stages.
It will be vital that the hosts set the tone for the clash by going straight after their opponents and getting the ball back quickly – something Meyer won’t have the legs for and he could be burnt out.
James McArthur should come back in having been rested for the visit to Turf Moor – his legs and bite in the middle of the park will be crucial – although Hodgson should have no hesitations to bring the Scotsman off for Meyer if he needs some added creation in midfield.
While Meyer will add far more to his team overall, McArthur’s work-rate will be crucial in the middle; presuming that Hodgson restores his orthodox 4-3-3 this weekend, which leads us nicely onto change number two.
Andros Townsend for Cheikhou Kouyate
The big Senegalese has been an excellent signing for the Eagles this season and a snip at less than £10m but Andros Townsend, having been rested against Burnley, should undoubtedly come back in for this clash.
The former Spurs man has been on a different level this season, chalking up four goals and three assists and establishing himself as one of the Eagles’ most important players.
The 27-year-old has very much earned the rest afforded to him last time out but should be restored in his wing role against the Seagulls.
In Batshuayi, Zaha and Townsend, Hodgson has the makings of a fantastic front three that will cause problems for every team they face, and a midfield full of workhorses will give the dangerous trio license to cause problems on the front foot.
Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…
While 46-cap Kouyate isn’t deserving of being benched, he has not been so sensational as to oust any of Jeffrey Schlupp, Luka Milivojevic or, indeed, Townsend from the starting XI in consecutive games.
There is, however, a way off the bench if he can prove in the coming days that he should be the third man to join aforementioned midfield duo Schlupp and Milivojevic in the middle of the park instead of McArthur.
Hodgson seems to have a special liking for the 31-year-old, though.
