Betdistrict.com
Crystal Palace and Aston Villa square off at Selhust Park in a match counting for the Premier League 3rd round. Both teams have 3 points so far, but the level of football was sensibly different.
Palace was one of the most active teams so far in the transfer window in terms of the quality they brought in – most notably the huge coup they pulled off with signing Yohan Cabaye. Pardew`s side did not lose any important players and aims for big things this season. So far they played in conformity with the expectations. Palace won 3-1 at Norwich in the opening round and lost 1-2 against Arsenal, but played good football in that game as well, against an absolute top side.
Villa also won in the first round, but the 1-0 victory at Bournemouth was unimpressive and arguably undeserved. Last round it was a 0-1 defeat at home to Manchester United. The visitors are clearly struggling without Benteke at front. The money from that transfer was quickly spent on a number of good players, but the team will need a lot of time to jell and many wonder if Villa did not make the same mistake as Tottenham, teams that overspent on too many players after selling Bale and Suarez.
Bet on Palace vs Aston Villa at Betsson and get your 100% welcome bonus now!
Team news & lineups:
Speroni, Campbell, Appiah and Chamakh are out for Palace, with Sako doubtful. Aston Villa will miss Crespo and Okore, probably Gardner and Gil as well.
Crystal Palace: McCarthy – Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare – Puncheon, Cabaye – McArthur, Sako, Zaha – Wickham
Aston Villa: Guzan – Bacuna, Richards, Amavi, Veretout – Gueye, Westwood – Grealish, J. Ayew, Agbonlahor – Gestede
I fancy Crystal Palace to win, they are a good, solid side, playing good football and set to finish in the top half of the table – while Villa finished last season in poor form, did not impress early this season, lacks chemistry and will probably fight for relegation despite all those new signings. Palace looked great up front so far and should score at least once, while Aston Villa could very well go scoreless the way they have been playing up front in the first two rounds. My tip is a Crystal Palace win. Prediction: Crystal Palace – Aston Villa 2-0.
Pick: Crystal Palace
Odds: 1.90 @ Smart Live Sports
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.20
Event date: 22 August
