SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 8 hrs 2 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
CP
Premier League | Gameweek 32
Jun 29, 2020 at 8pm UK
Selhurst Park
BL

Crystal Palace
0 - 1
Burnley


McCarthy (61')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Mee (62')
Tarkowski (58')

Roy Hodgson confident of top-10 finish if Crystal Palace can avoid injuries

:Headline: Roy Hodgson confident of top-10 finish if Crystal Palace can avoid injuries: ID:404224: from db_amp
Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke are doubts for Monday's meeting with Burnley.

Roy Hodgson believes Crystal Palace's chances of a top-10 Premier League finish will hinge on the Eagles' injury fortunes.

Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke remain big doubts for Monday's Selhurst Park clash with Burnley.

Zaha has a calf complaint and Benteke a thigh issue, with both facing a race against time to return in Palace's first home match since the league resumption.

Wilfried Zaha, pictured, is an injury doubt for Crystal Palace (Michael Steele/NMC Pool)

Palace already sit 10th and could even leapfrog Arsenal and Sheffield United with a win over Sean Dyche's Clarets, but Hodgson was quick to sound a word of caution.

"The opportunity (for a top-10 finish) no doubt is there, we're very much aware of that," said Hodgson.

"A lot will depend on injuries, this year has not been a good year for us with injuries.

"We had a very bad spell in the middle of the season where we lost a large number of key players, we survived it.

Christian Benteke in action for Crystal Palace (Tim Goode/PA)

"But we really don't want another period like that going into the end of the season.

"Because our hopes of finishing the season the way we would like depend on at least having the squad of players fit and ready to play.

"If that happens then I still think we have an excellent chance of reaching that goal.

"It's certainly one we have in mind and certainly one we'd like to reach."

Burnley sit 11th but level with Palace on 42 points, and despite the Clarets' own injury concerns Hodgson still expects Dyche's men to provide a stern test.

"They are a good team, and Sean Dyche over the years has been a very good partnership he's had with the club," said Hodgson.

"And they have really done exceptionally well every year. They are always looking for top 10, maybe even Europe so they have done exceptionally well.

"I think they are a very good team, a very well organised team.

"They know their game inside-out, and whoever they play against, they are a very tough nut to crack. So we are expecting the usual tough test."

amp_article__404224 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-06-28 11:11:15:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 11:46:47 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Roy Hodgson

Click here for more stories about Crystal Palace

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .