EPL day, another record?...Crystal Palace 0 Vs EPL Barca 0..

[zee]

A win for EPL Barca and the great Pep will make it 20 wins from 21 matches...............can anyone remind me the silly team that got the draw?
21 from 21.............would have sounded and looked better

A Crystal Palace side that are unbeaten in the last eight Premier League (PL) games welcome record-breakers and runaway league leaders Manchester City this New Years Eve. City's win against Newcastle in midweek was their 11th away win in a row in the league, the same as Chelsea’s record from 2008. Another win here will see the team seize yet another PL record.
After 18 consecutive wins, Pep Guardiola had the following to say about the key to success: "As a manager, I have to adapt. In these 18 games, we have played teams who high press, low press, attack us. Any manager and team can play how they want. And you have to find a way to beat them."
Earlier, City became the first English team to score 100 goals in a calendar year in the top flight since Liverpool in 1982 when Sergio Aguero made it 3-0 against Bournemouth on December 3rd. Against Palace they will have their last chance to improve on their already incredible tally of 102 PL goals in 2017.

[Kabalega]

Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson of Crystal Palace says, "today na today!" He has made four changes for today's game, starting in goal where Wayne Hennessey comes in for Julian Speroni.

At left-back Patrick van Aanholt replaces Martin Kelly, while Jairo Riedewald comes in at right-back for Jeffrey Schlupp.

In midfield Ruben Loftus-Cheek is replaced by Timothy Fosu-Mensah.




Pep Guardiola makes three changes for the trip to South London, with Eliaquim Mangala replacing Vincent Kompany in defence, and Leroy Sane getting a chance ahead of Raheem Sterling, who scored the winner against Newcastle last time out.

In attack, Sergio Aguero is replaced by Gabriel Jesus.

The big news among the substitutes is defender John Stones making the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered last month.



Source

Will CP collapse on Mangala and test John Stones' fitness too?
Their MF needs to step up and challenge KDB or David Silva if he suits up.

If they give KDB & Co. free space like they did to Arsenal, it will be a cricket score.
CP have the fire power to hurt City too but they are like a footballer with strong legs and upper body, but a weak core.
If a footballer can have just one physical strength, it should be a strong core.

[Coach]

Weren't Palace bludgeoned in their last outing by the Truth? That said, they could pose a shock challenge. Decent outlets and Christian "flat occiput" Benteke is long overdue one of those games where he's unplayable. A draw pushes them to 14, which is a comfortable cushion, a win and 16 pretty much settles it. 5 losses, are there 5-6 capable? Dyche and Big Sam will take a point, Huddersfield will give best, Beloved and the others. Points will be dropped, but the cushion is considerable with a win here.

[Coach]

Bernard Silva was in need of a St Bernards last time out to find him. Anonymity of the highest order.

Palace's setup is energetic and their left flank offers decent pace and work rate. Townsend cutting in will certainly pop off a shot or two. Very interesting match up. Could well be City's tougher outing for some time. That said, a midfield of Gundogan, Fernandinho and Kevin DePogba should prevail. Word of warning. Palace. Two centre halves. One word. British.
Townsend, British. Hennesey, British. Zaha, thereabouts.

[zee]

Two chances already for EPL Barca.

[zee]

Rare mixup in ManC defense...... Mangala saves.

[zee]

Good effort by CP.....over carry by Sane.

[zee]

I was surprised that Jesus was able to continue, getting replaced and the kid is crying.
Hopefully it's not a really bad injury.

[zee]

Aguero hits the post, lucky CP.

[zee]

Zaha displaying good skills there.

[zee]

This Zaha is the kind of player that will explode under the Dean.

[spastic]

This Zaha is the kind of player that will explode under the Dean.

Yup. Been saying Pep can take him to the next level.

Anyway wanted to show up before bthe draw. Before Toyin comes here and starts accusing me of only showing face when City is winning.

If my predictions are right this is where City drops it's first points since Everton

[Coach]

^Only your prediction? Everyone knew Palace would do more to the left, to the left, than a boyfriend dumping Beyonce. Peperempe needs to change it up, Sane has struggled, the question is, does he bring in Sterling and switch sides with Bernard, or ditch the latter, bring in Raheem and invert his wingers? The longer it stays nil-nil, the more accurate the cross on to Benteke's head. And then theres Jason Gunman Puncheon

[zee]

Guudogan goes close with last effort before making place for Sterling.

[zee]

Fernandinho with a brainless shot.

[zee]

Zaha should have played ',greedy' there. The other end, a super save by CP kepper.

[zee]

Zaha is balling big time

[Coach]

^Big fish, small pond, is the perfect platform for him. At Palace he has a somewhat free-role left centre-forward and although almost always in the left-hand channel, doesn't have the defensive responsibility of a wide left. Tottenham have flirted with the idea, not entirely sure the fit would be ideal.

[Coach]

^Only your prediction? Everyone knew Palace would do more to the left, to the left, than a boyfriend dumping Beyonce. Peperempe needs to change it up, Sane has struggled, the question is, does he bring in Sterling and switch sides with Bernard, or ditch the latter, bring in Raheem and invert his wingers? The longer it stays nil-nil, the more accurate the cross on to Benteke's head. And then theres Jason Gunman Puncheon

25 yard screamer.

[zee]

CP just missed a great chance to take the lead.

[zee]

Super defending by big Kelly, meanwhile big Yaya comes in.

[Chief Ogbunigwe]

The Coward should recall Fosu Mensah.

[zee]

CP should not allow Yaya this same space they allowed Fernandinho in front of their box. Yaya can place good shots.