Crystal Palace will play fellow Premier League side Southampton in the fourth round of the English Football League Cup, following the draw that took place last night.
The tie will be played at Southampton’s St. Mary’s Stadium on the week commencing Monday 19 September.
The Eagles overcame Football League Two side Blackpool to reach this stage of the competition, thanks to a 2-0 win on Tuesday evening. An own goal and a Connor Wickham strike were enough to seal the victory, although the score line should have been much more comfortable after Alan Pardew’s side wasted a host of chances.
Saints allowed free route to third round
Southampton are yet to compete in the competition this year after new regulations stated that clubs competing in Europe could have a bye to the third round. Claude Puel’s side qualified for the Europa League for the second-successive season under former boss Ronald Koeman before the Dutchman left the Saints to take the vacant managerial position at Everton in the summer.
Head to head
Both side have regularly played each other in cup competitions in recent years. Palace beat Southampton 2-0 in the League Cup in 2011 en-route to their semi-final appearance that campaign, before successive trips to St. Mary’s in the FA Cup in January 2015 and 2016, both ending in Palace victories.
However, Southampton have had the upper hand in the league in recent seasons. The Saints have won eight of the last nine meetings, with Palace’s 1-0 win at Selhurst Park in back in December being their first league victory over their opponents since 2008.
Both sides have just a point between them in the top-flight this season following respective slow starts. Southampton drew with Watford on the opening day, before losing to Manchester United in match week two. The Eagles are yet to record a point having lost to both West Brom and Tottenham Hotspur.