Crystal Palace vs Sheffield United Prediction: Nets to bulge at both ends in relegation clash

Sheffield United remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table but they travel to a Crystal Palace side that have also been struggling for form in recent weeks.

Both teams are desperate for a positive result and, in what could be a crucial clash in the scrap to avoid Premier League relegation, it may be more entertaining than their respective league positions imply.

Team News 

Cheick Doucoure, Joel Ward and Rob Holding are long-term injury absentees for Crystal Palace while it is unclear whether Jordan Ayew will be ready to feature despite Ghana having been knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Talisman Michael Olise has been deemed fit and should feature while Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is set for a late fitness test. 

Chris Basham, John Egan, George Baldock and Rhian Brewster have been all ruled out for Sheffield United, while Max Lowe and Tom Davies must both be assessed. 

Match Odds 

Crystal Palace can be backed at 8/15 to claim a vital home victory, with Sheffield United 9/2 to spring a surprise and the draw available at 13/5.  

Both teams to score @ EVS

Sheffield United remain bottom of the Premier League table and they probably need to turn a corner soon if they are to pull off the great escape. 

The Blades have collected only ten points from 21 games and not only are they the lowest scorers in the division, but they also boast the worst defensive record too. 

However, they face a team that has also been struggling recently in the shape of Crystal Palace. 

The Eagles are just five points clear of the relegation zone and they will be growing increasingly concerned as 18th-placed Luton have a game in hand on them. 

Pressure has been rising for manager Roy Hodgson and they are hard to fancy at odds-on having won just one of their last 12 games in all competitions. 

Both of these teams have struggled defensively this season, conceding a combined total of 85 goals, and it may pay to back the net to bulge at both ends. 

Both teams have scored in five of Crystal Palace’s last eight games and, with the pair desperate for maximum points, the same could occur in their latest rivalry. 

Eberechi Eze to score at anytime @ 9/5

Crystal Palace often rely on the individual brilliance of either Eberechi Eze or Michael Olise to provide their attacking spark. 

Olise looks set to return from injury but may not be rushed back into the starting line-up, so Eze could be their key man here. 

No Palace player has more shots than Eze’s tally of 51 this season and he has hit the target on 18 occasions, which makes him look a big price to get on the scoresheet against what is the leakiest defence in the top-flight.