Crystal Palace host Southampton at Selhurst Park on Sunday, December 29, in their final Premier League clash of 2024. While Palace have steadied their form under Oliver Glasner, Southampton are still seeking stability under new manager Ivan Juric. Here’s everything you need to know about this intriguing matchup.

Match Details

Date: Sunday, December 29, 2024
Kick-off Time: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
Location: Selhurst Park, London, England
Referee: Michael Salisbury
VAR: Graham Scott

Recent Form

Crystal Palace (Last 5 Matches)

Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace (Dec 26)
Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal (Dec 21)
Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace (Dec 18)
Brighton 1-3 Crystal Palace (Dec 15)
Crystal Palace 2-2 Manchester City (Dec 7)

Palace have shown signs of improvement, particularly in defense, despite a tough run of fixtures.

Southampton (Last 5 Matches)

Southampton 0-1 West Ham (Dec 26)
Fulham 0-0 Southampton (Dec 22)
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool (Dec 18)
Southampton 0-5 Tottenham (Dec 15)
Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton (Dec 7)

The Saints are showing glimpses of competitiveness under Ivan Juric but remain bottom of the table with just six points.

Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Matches)

Crystal Palace: 3 wins
Southampton: 1 win
Draws: 1

Last Meeting: Southampton 0-2 Crystal Palace (April 15, 2023)

Team News

Crystal Palace

Out: Marc Guehi (suspension), Adam Wharton, Chadi Riad, Matheus Franca (injuries).
Returning: Eberechi Eze (minor foot injury).
Potential Changes: Cheick Doucoure could replace Will Hughes in midfield. Chris Richards is likely to step in for the suspended Guehi.

Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):
Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Richards; Munoz, Lerma, Doucoure, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta.

Southampton

Out: Gavin Bazunu, Juan Larios, Ross Stewart, Will Smallbone (injuries).
Potential Changes: Tyler Dibling may start in place of Mateus Fernandes, supporting Paul Onuachu and Cameron Archer in attack.

Predicted Lineup (3-4-1-2):
Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Bednarek; Sugawara, Downes, Ugochukwu, Walker-Peters; Dibling; Archer, Onuachu.

Key Storylines

Crystal Palace: Stability Under Glasner

After a rocky start to the season, Palace have found balance under Oliver Glasner. Their defense has improved significantly, and they’ll look to capitalize on Southampton’s struggles to secure three points.

Southampton: The Juric Effect

New manager Ivan Juric has already instilled a sense of pragmatism in Southampton. While the Saints are still struggling for goals, their defensive organization could make them a tricky opponent.

Tactical Battle

Crystal Palace: Palace’s dynamic front three, led by Eberechi Eze, will aim to break down Southampton’s disciplined backline. They’ll rely on quick transitions and set-piece opportunities to find a breakthrough.
Southampton: Juric’s side will focus on compact defending and counterattacks, with Paul Onuachu expected to play a key role as a target man.

Prediction

This game is unlikely to be a high-scoring affair, given both teams’ recent struggles in front of goal. Crystal Palace’s defensive improvements and home advantage could give them the edge. Expect a closely contested match decided by a moment of brilliance.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-0 Southampton

FAQs

1. What time is the Crystal Palace vs. Southampton game?

The match kicks off at 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT on Sunday, December 29, 2024.

2. Where will the match be played?

The game will take place at Selhurst Park in London, England.

3. Who are the key players to watch?

For Crystal Palace, Eberechi Eze will be crucial in attack. For Southampton, Paul Onuachu’s physical presence could trouble the Palace defense.

4. What is the current form of the teams?

Crystal Palace have been steady, earning a point against Bournemouth on Boxing Day. Southampton are still searching for their first win under Ivan Juric.