Crystal Palace vs Burnley Prediction: Sarr far too good for beleaguered Burnley

Crystal Palace meet Burnley this Wednesday, February 11 (19:30GMT, TNT Sports) in the Premier League. Both teams are wondering how they got here in their own way. The Eagles’ drop from FA Cup and Community Shield victors at Wembley to the sort of mid-table mire they are used to hurts more with manager Oliver Glasner handing in his notice.

Meanwhile, Burnley have one thing to be grateful for and one thing alone. Namely, the fact that Wolverhampton Wanderers are even worse than them. Read on for my Crystal Palace vs Burnley predictions featuring the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

There may be some good news on the rather stacked injury front for Palace. Justin Devenny is being assessed ahead of a possible return from a knee injury.

The forecast is not as bright for the rest of Glasner’s walking wounded. Striker Eddie Nketiah was reportedly on the cusp of joining West Ham United before the January transfer window slammed shut. The thigh injury that scuppered that move keeps him on the sidelines. 

Palace are also missing Jean-Philippe Mateta (knee), Cheick Doucoure (knee), Rio Cardines and Caleb Kporha (back).

Burnley could hand a debut to on-loan England midfielder James Ward-Prowse. The free-kick master could not play against his parent club West Ham United last weekend. The 31-year-old will be hoping to get on the field this midweek.

Zeki Amdouni (knee), Mike Tresor (ankle), Josh Cullen (knee), Connor Roberts (groin) and Jordan Beyer (thigh) will not be getting on the pitch. But defender Axel Tuanzebe may make an appearance, as he faces an assessment on his Achilles problem.

Crystal Palace vs Burnley Odds

Palace are 4/7 favourites to win this one. Not the sort of short-price they’re used to these days, with form fluctuating. However, Burnley will be used to markets rating them around 11/2 by now. The draw is 3/1.

Ismaila Sarr to score anytime @ 8/5

The Palace number seven has returned with real momentum since helping Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations. With his club side in flux due to the exit of Marc Guehi and the impending vacation of the manager’s office, Sarr has provided some much-needed stability.

The gifted forward scored the equaliser from the penalty spot against Nottingham Forest before bagging the winner at Brighton this past weekend. With Burnley leaking goals like nobody’s business, expect the Senegalese star to capitalise.

Crystal Palace to win to nil @ 11/8

While the London side have found problems easy to come by this season, the defence has not generally been one of them. Only part of that credit belongs to the departed Guehi. Glasner has built a solid defensive unit at Selhurst Park.

Palace have the seventh-meanest defence in the Premier League this season. Their 29 conceded goals are less than fourth-placed Manchester United and only one more than Chelsea in fifth. 

The home side have scored one goal in each of their last four games. Against Burnley, the second-lowest scorers in the division, this will likely be enough.