Crystal Palace v Burnley: Can the visitors make it back-to-back victories?

Form

Both Burnley and Crystal Palace have had mixed starts to the season's restart.

Roy Hodgson's men confidently overturned relegation-threatened Bournemouth 2-0 but were on the wrong end of a 4-0 thumping against Liverpool, the new Champions of England.

The Clarets had a traumatic return to football both on and off the pitch. A 5-0 loss to Manchester City was coupled with the infamous plane incident and a spat between Sean Dyche and his chairman. However, a narrow 1-0 win against Watford was the perfect response to all of the adversity.

Palace won the reverse fixture at Turf Moor, 2-0, courtesy of goals from Wilfried Zaha and Jeffrey Schlupp.

The last time Burnley beat their opponents was in September 17, a Chris Wood goal was enough to condemn manager Frank de Boer to an early sacking. He was replaced by Hodgson who has been at the helm since.

Neither team is threatened by relegation but both are outside contenders for a spot a European spot.

Key Battles

Gary Cahill v Matej Vydra

Cahill has been a superb signing for the Eagles. He was out-of-favour with a progressive Chelsea setup but has thrived under Roy Hodgson's more basic style of play. It has allowed him to focus on defending first and foremost. Vydra, being a quick and wily striker, will be a stern test for the 34-year-old who prefers physical tussles.

Andros Townsend v Matt Lowton

In the absence of Zaha, the onus will be on Townsend to be the difference maker. The winger has always had the capacity to conjure up magic moments but he has often been in Zaha's shadow at Selhurst Park. Now is an opportunity to strut his stuff. Lowton, a player who still has a point to prove, will have to be on his toes.

Patrick van Aanholt v Dwight McNeil

McNeil was a big threat for Burnley in their win last week. He was always on the front foot, looking to make things happen. He will see opportunities with van Aanholt a man who likes to bomb forward, leaving spaces in-behind for teams to exploit.

Team News

Each squad is somewhat depleted and the two respective managers will be hoping to make the best out of what they have available.

For the hosts, Vicente Guaita and Christian Benteke were absent from the Liverpool match and they remain major doubts for this clash.

Zaha, who came off at Anfield on Wednesday night, is unlikely to make the cut.

With the visitors, Ashley Barnes, Chris Wood and Johann Berg Gudmudsson are all out while Robbie Brady is touch-and-go.

Jay Rodriguez was taken off in the win against Watford but he should be fit for the upcoming match.

Likely Line-Ups

Crystal Palace: Hennessey; Ward, Cahill, Sakho, van Aanholt; Townsend, Kouyate, Milivojevic, McCarthur, Meyer; Ayew.

Burnley: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Brownhill, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Vydra, Rodriguez.

What the managers have said

Hodgson on injuries (as taken from London News Online):

“He’s got a thigh strain and, of course, the problem there is kicking.

“So, I wouldn’t have been concerned about his ability to move around the goal area, but the problem is the kicking, so we didn’t take a chance on it.

“We were frightened that if we took a chance, he kicked a couple of balls and his thigh strain becomes a definite tear and then, of course, he’s going to be out for a long period of time."

Dyche on not settling down (as taken from the Official Burnley FC website):

“Nothing statistically is done yet, of course, but 42 points at this stage is a fair marker, especially with so many question marks coming out of the Covid situation and then being well beaten at Manchester City and all that went on.

“To come through that is a real testament to the professionalism of the players, so we will park that now and get on with the next games as they come.

“We’ve got a lot of challenges still to come, both with the games and our own group with injuries and lack of playing numbers."