Paul Merson tips Crystal Palace to seal full three points against Hull City in the Premier League clash on Sunday.
Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce
Crystal Palace will take on Hull City in the Premier League on Sunday, and Sky Sports pundit, Paul Merson, predicts whoever scores the first goal will win the tie.
Ahead of match day 37, the Premier League table looks like this – Crystal Palace is on 16th with 38 points, Swansea City on 17th with 35 points and Hull City on 18th with 34 points.
If Swansea win their game against Sunderland on Saturday, it will put a huge pressure on both the sides. Nevertheless, this is a must win game for Hull City.
Hull City manager Marco Silva
Only two weeks ago, Crystal Palace were heading for a top 10 finish, but three consecutive defeats have dragged them right into the relegation mix.
Sam Allardyce’s side are heading into this fixture on the back of a disappointing, if not downright humiliating, 5-0 defeat against Manchester City last weekend.
The former Sunderland manager has voiced his concern over Palace’s poor defensive effort last week, and Merson says that the Eagles will be under huge pressure if Hull City score early on.
Merson adds that Allardyce will be desperate for a win here, and would not want the relegation battle to go to the final game of the season.
“Whoever scores first here will win for me. If Hull do then you worry for Palace with their defensive problems,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“Swansea winning on Saturday would really put the pressure on here and Hull probably need a victory either way, which would drag Palace right back into it.
“Sam Allardyce will be desperate for a win as they won’t want the battle to go to the last game of the season.”
Merson predicts a 3-1 victory for Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce
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