Crystal Palace v Liverpool predictions: absence of Reds stars gives Palace hope

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Crystal Palace v Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 2pm Sunday

Best bet

Crystal Palace +1 goal on Asian handicap
1pt 97-100 bet365

Team news

Crystal Palace
Wilfried Zaha and Cheikhou Kouyate are at the Africa Cup of Nations, although Jordan Ayew has returned from Cameroon. James Tomkins and James McArthur are out.

Liverpool
Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita are still on international duty, Harvey Elliott and Divock Origi are out and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a doubt.

Match preview

It will be of some relief to Crystal Palace fans that Sadio Mane is an absentee at Selhurst Park but that doesn't mean they won't be fearing the worst against a Liverpool side who have most definitely had their number.

Mane boasts an incredible record against Palace. When Liverpool beat Patrick Vieira's men 3-0 in September, the Senegalese star found the net against them for a ninth successive match - a Premier League record.

"It would be great to play them every weekend," exclaimed Mane after the final whistle and no doubt he'll get another chance next season.

For now, though, Liverpool will have to do without Mane and, of course, Mo Salah and that has to give Palace a better chance than usual of avoiding the customary beating they receive at the hands of the Merseyside giants.

So despite having lost nine in a row against the Reds, including an incredible 7-0 drubbing the last time Liverpool visited Selhurst, there's definitely a case for believing Palace can give them a game. Backing the Eagles +1 on the Asian handicap appeals most.

The game comes at a decent time for the outsiders with Liverpool having played at Arsenal in the League Cup on Thursday night - their sixth game since Christmas - while Palace have had nine days off since they last played so should be both fresher and fitter.

The non-appearances of both Salah and Mane can't be discounted. Liverpool have done well in their absence with a 0-0 draw against Arsenal, a 3-0 home win over Brentford and 2-0 win at Arsenal.

But under Vieira's guidance Palace are a stronger, better organised and competent bunch and you only need to look at their goal difference – minus one despite having won only five of 21 matches – to show they are no pushovers.

Of those 21 league matches played, they have lost only three by more than one goal and a record of nine draws shows how stubborn they can be.

They don't win many, they don't lose many, but they can pull stunners out of the hat as their 2-0 at Manchester City at the end of October testifies.

The Eagles boast a number of players who are maturing well as Premier League players under Vieira, notably Marc Guehi, Ty Mitchell, Conor Gallagher, Michael Olise and Will Hughes.

They'll be a threat on the counter and you can pontificate about Liverpool's nine out of nine record against Palace all you like, but under Vieira this Palace side appears to have a character and attitude that might have been missing before.

Liverpool should win but the fixtures are coming thick and fast and they aren't much value.

Key stat

Liverpool have won their last nine Premier League matches against Palace.

Inside info

Crystal Palace

Penalty taker Luka Milivojevic, Odsonne Edouard
Free-kick wizard Ebereche Eze
Set-piece aerial threat Joachim Andersen
Card magnet Joel Ward

Liverpool

Penalty taker Fabinho, James Milner
Free-kick wizardTrent Alexander-Arnold
Set-piece aerial threatVirgil van Dijk
Card magnetAndrew Robertson

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