Selhurst Park is the location for one of this season's biggest games, although not for home side Crystal Palace. The visitors though, who happen to be Liverpool, will be treating this match like the most important game on Earth, which it could be. After suffering their first league defeat in 2014, Brendan Rodgers side lost the grip they had on the title. Crystal Palace on the other hand, are fighting for nothing. They are clear of the relegation battle and are nowhere near the fight for European competition. They've reached mid table safety, which is likely to have been their aim at the start of the season.
Last time these two met, Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners in front of a jubilant Anfield crowd, with Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard on the scoresheet for Rodgers' side. Only a late header from Dwight Gayle gave Palace some credit for their part on this game. But by no means did Liverpool dominate the game. They may have had 61% possession, but Crystal Palace had just 2 shots less than the victors. However, the accuracy of their shots let them down. With Liverpool hitting 7 out of their 13 shots on target, perhaps the result would've different had Palace got more than a lousy 2 of their shots on goal.
However, both teams were on fantastic form up until last weekend, when both suffered defeat. Liverpool lost their first league game in this calendar year against Chelsea and Palace lost to Manchester City after moving up to second in the form table, only behind their opponents for gameweek 37. So with both sides coming off the back of a disappointing defeat, both will want to get back on track for the end of the season, giving them momentum into next season.
Both sides have players who could change games, but whose stars are going to change the game and grab the win?
Liverpool have a much larger group of dangerous, game-changing players. These include Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, and of course, club captain, Steven Gerrard. Let's start with Suarez. Having scored 30 goals in 31 games, and scoring the opener in the reverse fixture, Crystal Palace will be keeping tabs on the 27-year old Uruguayan for the whole 90 minutes. Next is Englishman Daniel Sturridge, who is second in the goal scoring table, only behind strike parnter Suarez. Steven Gerrard will also be stopped at all costs by Crystal Palace, considering he can play balls from anywhere to the front two.
Crystal Palace also have their fair share of stars Liverpool will need to keep quiet if they want to conquer the Eagles. In goal, Palace have Julian Speroni, who has been one of many stand out players in a squad that has surprised everyone this season, including Jose Mourinho. Yannick Bolasie has also been key in front of the goal, and on the attack in general. Jason Puncheon, Cameron Jerome and Mile Jedinak who could cause Liverpool numerous problems over the course of the 90 minutes.
But only one team is still fighting for a prize, the other is just competing for pride and a good end to the season. So will Liverpool's determination to win the league and begin the long road back to what they used to be prevail over the Eagles? Or will Crystal Palace cause another upset on their own stomping ground? The bookies (and just about everyone else) are in favour of Liverpool, but as we all know by now, you should never rule out the underdogs in any Premier League match.