The Premier League’s solely two remaining unbeaten sides go head-to-head as Crystal Palace host champions and league leaders Liverpool at Selhurst Park.
Palace are the one staff to have gotten the higher of the Reds this season, successful the Group Defend on penalties in August.
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That win types a part of a 17-game unbeaten streak that Oliver Glasner’s facet are at present having fun with, a run that stretches again to April and likewise consists of the FA Cup closing success. The Eagles may now equal their longest-ever unbeaten run, which got here after they went 18 video games with out defeat in 1969.
[BBC]
may in all probability be taught a factor or two from watching how Palace implement an environment friendly 3-4-2-1 formation, which is predicated on a powerful defensive basis. Glasner’s facet have conceded simply two league objectives this season, one thing which solely can match, and which is lower than half as many as Liverpool have conceded.
Their solidity is constructed on the again three of Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards: Palace have saved 11 clear sheets within the 19 Premier League video games that trio have began in a again three collectively. No marvel supervisor Glasner was eager to maintain maintain of Guehi for so long as potential, with Saturday’s opponents Liverpool foiled within the switch window – for now not less than.
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Liverpool could have fielded a totally modified beginning line-up in midweek within the EFL Cup win over however the match adopted the sample of their season, which entails the Reds having to safe victory with a late winner.
Since dropping the Group Defend to Palace, Liverpool have gained all seven of their matches, clinching victory in six of them within the 83rd minute or later.
Their previous six matches have been gained by one purpose, which is the longest run of one-goal victories within the membership’s historical past.
The plethora of late wins has helped maintain their 100% Premier League file intact however head coach Arne Slot admits it’s not sustainable, saying after the last-minute winner towards Atletico Madrid within the Champions League: “You possibly can run out of vitality on the finish of the season if each sport, mentally and bodily, you need to go all the way in which to the top to win a sport of soccer. It is by no means a good suggestion to maintain on doing it.”
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However Liverpool are but to go behind in a sport to date this season, and so long as they’ll maintain scoring, Slot won’t be worrying an excessive amount of. His facet may take their scoring streak to 40 consecutive Premier League video games on Saturday, placing them on their very own in second place behind Arsenal’s file run of 55 in 2001-02.
Central to Liverpool’s purpose machine is Mohamed Salah, who’s now inside touching distance of Wayne Rooney’s Premier League file of purpose involvements for one membership.
[BBC]