Crystal Palace vs Swansea City Preview and Prediction

Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Swansea
Competition: English Premier League 2016-17
Date: Tuesday, 3rd January, 20:00 GMT
Stadium: Selhurst Park (London).

Crystal Palace face Swansea City at Selhurst Park knowing that a win could move them into a Champions League spot.

The Eagles moved up to fifth on Boxing Day following their goalless draw at Bournemouth and Manchester United’s defeat at Stoke City.

Alan Pardew’s men have lost just once in their last six outings – unbeaten in their last five – but they’ve taken more points away from home this term.

The Swans are still searching for a new manager, following the sacking of Garry Monk at the beginning of December.

Talks with former Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa have stalled, meaning ex-West Brom, Chelsea and Schalke chief Roberto Di Matteo is the new favourite.

Caretaker manager Alan Curtis oversaw the Welsh outfit’s 1-0 triumph against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday – their first in two months, and one which moved them out and a point above the bottom three.

Away from the Liberty Stadium though, the South Wales side have only won once all season – at bottom side Aston Villa in October.

Team News:

Yohan Cabaye returned to the bench at the Vitality Stadium after a hamstring injury and could be put back in the starting XI.

Scott Dann and Damien Delaney are expected to be fit after picking up knocks, but Pardew will be without Yannick Bolasie and Connor Wickham.

Lee Chung-yong is also missing after becoming a father, but Patrick Bamford could return from injury.

Bakary Sako and Dwight Gayle are also out, but should be back early in the New Year.

Swansea are expected to make changes with with Kyle Naughton and Jonjo Shelvey expected to come into the starting XI.

Franck Tabanou and Ederzito Antionio Macedo are the only two absentees but both are nearing returns from injury.

League Position: Crystal Palace – 5th (30 pts); Swansea – 16th (18 pts)
Last Meeting: Crystal Palace 1-0 Swansea – May 24, 2015
Key Players: Crystal Palace – Wilfried Zaha; Swansea – Ki Sung-yueng
League Form: Crystal Palace – LWDWWD; Swansea – DLLLDW

Crystal Palace vs Swansea: Betting Tips

Full time Result : Crystal Palace win at 1.80
Goals Over/Under : Over 2.5 Goals at 1.95