Crystal Palace start their season on Saturday as they host Southampton, in what will be a tricky game for the Eagles.

This will be Palace's eighth consecutive season in the Premier League and the signings of Eberechi Eze, Nathan Ferguson and new arrival, Michy Batshuayi, should help the Eagles make it to number nine.

The Saints will be keen to kick on from their 11th place finish under Ralph Hasenhuttl, and Roy Hodgson will do everything to make sure that the Eagles continue their unbeaten run from pre-season.

  • Team News for the Eagles

New signing Eze is undergoing a late fitness test to see if he is ready to make his Premier League debut. Ferguson is still working his way back to fitness from a knee injury.

Batshuayi could play but he will need to be registered by noon on Friday to be able to feature against Southampton. Patrick Van Aanholt, Gary Cahill, Christian Benteke and Mamadou Sakho are all still out.

  • Expected Lineup

Crystal Palace likely line-up: Vicente Guaita (GK); Joel Ward, Cheikhou Kouyate, Scott Dann, Tyrick Mitchell; Jeffrey Schlupp, Jairo Riedewald, James McArthur; Wilfried Zaha, Eze and Jordan Ayew.

Goalkeeper - Guaita

Guaita will start in goal for Palace. He has proved that he is a class above Stephen Henderson and Wayne Hennessey and he rescues the Palace defence on many occasions. It's a no-brainer.

Defenders - Ward, Kouyate, Dann and Mitchell

Ferguson is out with a knee injury so Ward will be starting in his place. Ward has proved that he can be reliable at right-back, even though he might not be favoured as the first-choice.

Kouyate and Dann have done well in pre-season. Kouyate has shown yet again that he is a versatile player that can play in central defensive midfield as well as do a job at centre-half. Dann has proved that age is just a number and has become reliable yet again at the back for the Eagles.

Academy graduate Mitchell, has been nothing short of superb since his debut against Wolves. The young man will start in Van Aanholt's place and it is hard to see how Van Aanholt will start ahead of Mitchell when he is fit again.

Midfielders - Schlupp, Riedewald and McArthur

The trio have been brilliant in pre-season and have shown their creative sides. Schlupp can run from midfield with McArthur and Riedewald possesses a great passing ability.

McArthur and Schlupp especially have created a lot of chances for Zaha and Ayew up top. Riedewald is proving that he can put a tackle in and push from midfield to create a chance as well.

There is no surprise that Schlupp and Riedewald are earning their place back in the team and fans should be excited to see how the trio can punish Southampton on Saturday.

Forwards - Eze, Zaha and Ayew

New signing Eze has had a glowing reception since he signed from QPR and he proved his value against Charlton Athletic, before he picked up a knock and had to be substituted.

Eze should be fit for Saturday as he returned to training earlier in the week and his potential partnership with Zaha could be renewed. Star man Zaha will start and the rumours of him leaving should not put him off from playing at his best

Ayew has been scoring again and he will continue upfront for Palace. Ayew scored nine league goals last season, becoming the top-scorer for the Eagles and he will prove pivotal in their bid to finish in the top 10.

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