It’s been a mixed start to the season for Crystal Palace, with some fans of the Eagles already calling for the head of manager Alan Pardew.
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew
Following his move from Newcastle to Crystal Palace, fans of the Magpies were warning the Palace faithful that at some point they would turn on Alan Pardew – and it seems that time has come. A victory over Middlesbrough at the weekend helped ease the pressure slightly, but there’s still four games of the month remaining as they attempt to turn their fortunes around.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes
Stoke City – Home (Premier League)
Mark Hughes is another manager feeling the pressure as his side lie bottom of the table with just one point from their first four games. That fact alone should give Pardew hope that they can register back to back victories, however the pressure of a home game against a team towards the bottom of the table has proved to be dangerous in the past.
Stoke’s team on paper looks scary, however they’re struggling to translate that quality into a solid team unit. With both teams in need of a big result, a high scoring game seems like it could be on the cards at Selhurst Park.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-2 Stoke
Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez celebrates scoring their third goal with team mates
Southampton – Away (League Cup)
Southampton are another side who have struggled to get going in the league this season, however their 3-0 Europa League victory over Sparta Prague shows that they still possess a great deal of quality. Whether or not they’ll want to contend in the League Cup with everything else they’ve got going on remains to be seen, but it should be a competitive game between the two sides.
Both teams are likely to field slightly weakened starting XIs, but it should still make for an entertaining clash in preparation for their league fixture later in the year.
Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Crystal Palace
Jermain Defoe celebrates after scoring the third goal for Sunderland
Sunderland – Away (Premier League)
The Black Cats complete the trio of sides in the relegation zone that Pardew’s men will face in September. David Moyes is attempting to steer the club away from yet another battle for survival, however the early signs indicate that it’ll be easier said than done.
The Stadium of Light is an intimidating place to go when the crowd are up for it, and a game between two sides who are likely to be down the bottom come May should incite a good atmosphere. It’ll be close, and a point may be on the cards for the visitors.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Crystal Palace
Everton’s Leighton Baines celebrates their first goal with teammates
Everton – Away (Premier League)
A hat-trick of away games to end the month will conclude with a trip to Goodison Park. Everton have started the season like a house on fire under new manager Ronald Koeman and with the likes of Idrissa Gueye and Romelu Lukaku firing on all cylinders, Palace could be in trouble.
They’ll have to be tight at the back if they want to keep the Toffees out, but all the luck in the world may not be enough to help the Eagles get a result out of the game.
Prediction: Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace
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