Crystal Palace – Fulham

Monday night`s Premier League action sees Crystal Palace take on visiting Fulham at Selhurst Park in one of the many London derbies. Both teams are very low in the standings and are in very big need of a win.

After advancing to the top level of english football via the playoffs this year, Crystal Palace brought in about 15 players in an attempt to build a squad capable of surviving at this level. It`s looking quite likely that they didn`t manage to do that, as the squad is still very poor for Premiership Standards and the results are showcasing that very clearly. Palace is second to last in the standings, and that is only thanks to Sunderland`s horrible form. The Black Cats are dead last and they have been Crystal Palace`s only victim so far. Aside from the 3-1 win against Sunderland, Palace lost all the other six games played, including the last 4. Last round saw them lose 3-1 at Liverpool.

Fulham was expected to achieve a nice and safe midtable finish as they have a very talented squad, especially on the offensive end with the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Daren Bent, Adel Taraabt or Bryan Ruiz leading the attacking line. Things have not worked out well so far for the visitors, with Fulham only gaining 7 points for a 17th place finish, and that is mainly because the star-filled attacking line has not produced, especially Berbatov being in very poor form. Fulham is on the back of a 1-0 home win to Stoke, but lost its previous 2 games.

These two teams have been very poor in front of goals so far, each scoring 5 times. Fulham has been decent at the back, conceding 9 goals, while Palace has been awful, with 13 goals conceded, almost 2 per game.

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Team news & lineups

Bad news for the hosts, as Crystal Palace is decimated by injuries and suspensions today. McCarthy, Hunt, Murray, Dikgacoi and Williams are out, Gabbidon is questionable. Fulham has some injury doubts, with Stekelenburg, Parker, Dejagah and Hughes all being game-time decisions. Briggs is out for the visitors.

Fulham (4-4-2): Stockdale – Riether, Senderos, Hangeland, Amorebieta – Duff, Sidwell, Karagounis, Kacaniklic – Berbatov, Bent.

I had trouble picking a single bet for this game, but I will eventually go with over 2,5 goals. Fulham is the favorite as it has much more quality and I liked the Draw no bet on them but it would imply a good chance of not getting any profit, I also liked the x2 double chance but I thought it could be a not so clever idea to back Fulham at a lowly 1.50 price away from home with their current form.

The over looks great both in terms of odds and chances for a winning bet, despite the stats not indicating a high scoring affair. Both Fulham and Crystal Palace have failed to put up impressive numbers in goals so far, but this game is different as they both need a win and will go for it. Each side sees this as the perfect opportunity to pick up three points and get out of the slump they are in, so they will approach this game in a different manner, as the managers themselves admitted. Palace has conceded in every Premier League game so far despite defending in numbers for the most part, so Fulham should have a lot of scoring chances today with the hosts opening themselves up more. The visitors have so much talent in attack and this game seems like the perfect opportunity for Berbatov & co. to end the slump and get some goals. On the other hand, a more offensive Palace will surely have some opportunities at home against a mediocre Fulham defense, and they could score at least once. If one team scores and goes in front, expect an almost all-out-attacking approach from the other one, as a loss would be devastating for either side. My pick for this game is an open encounter, with many counter situations and at least three goals scored in the end, with very tasty odds from Sbobet. Prediction: Crystal Palace – Fulham 1-2 or 2-2.

Pick: over 2,5 goals
Odds: 2.17 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 9.36
Event date: 21 October

Editor Facts

• Rostick is 6 for 8 in English football in October