A vital battle at the bottom of the Premier League takes center stage at Selhurst Park, where Crystal Palace will aim to build on their morale-boosting derby victory last weekend, while Burnley fights to avoid equalling a top-flight club record of 17 games without a win.
After weeks of frustration, Crystal Palace finally returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory away to rivals Brighton on Sunday. The result ended a run of nine Premier League games without a win (League One, League Six) and provided a timely boost to their hopes of avoiding outright relegation. Manager Oliver Glasner will have been particularly pleased with the defensive organization and discipline displayed at the Amex Stadium – attributes that had been sorely lacking during their recent slump.
Despite this impressive victory, Palace’s home form remains a major concern. The Eagles are currently on an eight-match winless run at Selhurst Park in the league (D4, L4), dating back to early November. However, their record against bottom-three teams this season is encouraging: they have won all of those matches so far, and Palace have also avoided defeat in their last 19 home league games against teams starting the day in the relegation zone (W13, D6). This bodes well ahead of facing a Burnley side that is both out of form and lacking confidence.
For Burnley, the picture grows bleaker with each passing game. Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to fellow West Ham was another low in a season full of disappointments. Manager Scott Parker remains in charge for now, but the toxic atmosphere at Turf Moor, with booing and anti-boarding chants, suggests that patience is wearing thin.
The Clarets are now on a 16-match winless run in the Premier League (D5, L11), their longest such streak in a single top-flight season since 1889/90. Another defeat would see them equal that 134-year-old club record; a grim milestone looming. Their chances of ending the run don’t look good either. Burnley have managed just one win in their last 16 Premier League away games in London (D6, L9), and they are also winless in seven consecutive midweek league matches (D2, L5). These statistics highlight a team seemingly lacking momentum, confidence, or a coherent game plan.
History of Face to Face Encounters
Palace fans will be confident heading into this match based on recent history. The Eagles have won each of their last three Premier League encounters with Burnley without conceding a goal, including a 1-0 victory at Turf Moor earlier this season.
Selhurst Park has also been a difficult ground for Burnley, as only one of the last eight encounters at this site has seen both teams score, and Palace usually dominate these meetings.
Statistics and Hot Sequences
Crystal Palace have scored exactly once in five consecutive matches. Only three teams have taken fewer corners than Palace this season in the Premier League (102). Scott Parker has never won a Premier League away game in London as a manager (League One, League Two). Eight of Burnley’s 13 away league goals this season have come after the 60th minute. Palace have a 100% win record against the bottom three teams in the league this season. Burnley have the worst points-per-game total in midweek Premier League fixtures since the start of last season.
Key Players to Watch
Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace)
The Colombian full-back has proven to be a surprise threat for Palace, particularly in big moments.
He scored the winning goal in the reverse fixture and has now netted four times this season, each strike proving to be the opening goal of the match. His energy and penetrating runs could prove vital once again, especially against a team prone to fading early in the game.
Lyle Foster (Burnley)
If Burnley want to achieve a rare result, a lot could depend on Lyle Foster, who remains their most reliable finisher.
All five of his last Premier League goals have come in the second half, suggesting he could be an impact player when defenses tire. However, without support or service, Foster’s influence often fades – a problem Parker has yet to solve.
Team News and Injuries
Neither team has reported any new injury problems ahead of this matchup, meaning Glasner and Parker are expected to field similar lineups this weekend.
Crystal Palace: No new problems. Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze remain long-term absentees. Burnley: The squad is largely intact, but morale is clearly a more pressing concern than fitness at this stage.
Tactical Overview
This match might not be for purists, but both sides will see it as an opportunity to build momentum. Palace should dominate possession at home, using the width of Selhurst Park to stretch a compact Burnley side. Glasner’s pressing approach worked well against Brighton and could once again cause problems for a Burnley defense prone to errors in possession.
For Burnley, a compact 4-4-2 or 5-3-2 formation is likely, to contain Palace and strike at the counter-attack. The problem is that Burnley has conceded too many early goals, forcing them to chase games and leaving them vulnerable.
Predicted score: Crystal Palace 1-0 Burnley
Palace should have enough to secure a narrow victory against a Burnley side on the brink of historic futility. Expect a cautious match with few chances, as the home crowd urges their team on for three crucial points.