This weekend, Crystal Palace take on a Liverpool side in rampant form. However, despite the Eagles playing a team who should be their major superior, Palace and Liverpool is a game with a very particular history to it. If the Reds are to have a Premier League-era bogey team, it would likely be Palace.

Can Roy Hodgson get a positive result against arguably the biggest black mark on his career? Can his boys get a result against a side who don’t often wilt at present?

Crystal Palace News

With four losses on the spin finally snapped by a win prior to the international break, the Eagles come into this one in decent enough shape. However, a large injury list that could include Wilfried Zaha, Jeffrey Schlupp and Alexander Sorloth on top of long-term absentees like Julian Speroni, Bakary Sako and Scott Dann means they are playing with a lighter squad than they need.

It’s hard to see such a ravaged squad coming out of this one with a result, but Palace are a club that often shock you when you least expect it.

LFC News

Meanwhile, Liverpool will likely be without Dejan Lovren, Emre Can and maybe Andrew Robertson. The Scot came off in Budapest for Scotland with a knock, and he’s touch and go for this game. If he does miss out, we expect to see the Reds call upon Alberto Moreno.

The loss of Joe Gomez for the medium-term is a blow, too, though the timely return of Nathaniel Clyne is a bonus. The Reds come into this one with their attack in full flow, though, and should feel more than capable of getting a result when they visit Selhurst Park.

Verdict

It’s going to be closer than most presume, but we can see Liverpool edging this one. Hoodoo or not, they have the opportunity to put themselves in a commanding position for the Champions League race, and we expect them to see this one though.

It is now…  Manchester City are now at a staggering 1/100 with some bookmakers, down from between 1/16 and 1/25 a little over a month ago. And it’s clear why. They have a healthy 12 point lead over their nearest rival Manchester United and some favourable fixtues to come. As we approach the tailend of the season, punters and analysts alike realise that due to their form all season and the lack of remaining fixtures, anything other than Manchester City win is a monumental ask at this stage.

 

On the back of today’s 2-1 victory against Manchester United, I wouldn’t disagree with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s view that his side’s title hopes are “probably over” and that Manchester City look unstoppable. They’re still undefeated after 16 games and have amassed an impressive 11 points win. Their form will really need to tank for any of the few remaining contenders to top the table by the end of the season. Check out the current odds above.

 

 

After 11 games in the Premier League season it’s as good a time as any to take a look at the top four positions in the league. While Manchester City were always seen as punters favourite to win the league, it has to be said that so far they have exceeded expectations by quite some margin. With seemingly an army of potential goal scorers their overwhemling performance has been matched only by the underwhelming performance of their supposed main rivals. Their unbeaten record has led to them coming down in price to the point that they’re now 1/7 at a comparatively early stage in the season. Their nearest rivals are around 14-1. Unless there is a seismic shift, before long Manchester City will have well and truly cemented their place at the top of the table. Do we have a precitable rest of the season to look forward to? Time will tell!