Palace v Swansea City

Selhurst Park, Sunday 1.30pm

Kagisho Dikgacoi

Story so far

Both Crystal Palace and Swansea faced tough tasks in the last round of Premier League fixtures, playing Manchester United and Liverpool respectively. However, both teams may feel slightly aggrieved with not coming out of their fixtures with more than a loss and a draw.

Ashley Young won a dubious penalty against the Eagles, and after defending so resolutely, the South London boys will be desperately disappointed. Damien Delaney was a rock at the heart of Palace’s defence, making a total of 18 defensive contributions according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Ian Holloway’s defence has been protected well by holding midfielder Mile Jedinak. The Australian has had a phenomenal season, making more defensive contributions, (tackles, blocks, interceptions, clearances) than any other player in the league.

Jedinak has been equally influential for Palace offensively, making 74 passes in the opposition half – this is more than any of his teammates.

A player who is desperate to make an impression for Crystal Palace is on-loan striker Marouane Chamakh. He appeared short of confidence at Arsenal, and it appears that he may be suffering a hangover from last season. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that in his four appearances thus far this season, he has only had one shot at goal. 888sport.com have the Moroccan at an industry best 31/10 to score at any time on Sunday.

This is in contrast to Premier League new boy Dwight Gayle. He certainly isn’t afraid to take shots at goal, as no other Eagles player has taken as many shots as the former Peterborough man.

A real Jekyll and Hyde performance from Jonjo Shelvey against his former club was the main talking point in Swansea’s draw against Liverpool. He scored, and assisted 3 other goals, 2 of which were Liverpool’s, but according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, this doesn’t give his performance on Monday full justice. The midfielder completed 40 passes in the opposition half – more than any player on either side.

The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index also highlights how dominant the Swans were against Liverpool, as in addition to Shelvey, Ben Davies and Leon Britton were in the top 15 of players who completed passes in the opposition half.

Wilfred Bony may have only scored once so far this season for Swansea, but it is unlikely that defenders will be able to contain him for much longer. The striker has had 9 attempts at goal so far this campaign, despite only playing 199 minutes. His eye for goal can be put into context when looking at Michu’s record, as the Spanish superstar has mustered 10 attempts at goal in 360 minutes. You can find Bony at 13/10 with 888sport.com to score at any time against the Eagles.

Ashley Williams’ performance at the weekend demonstrated just how important he is to Swansea. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that his 22 defensive contributions, measured on blocks, tackles, interceptions and clearances, was more than anyone else in the league.

Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at fantasy.premierleague.com or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 14.

Team news

Kagisho Dikgacoi will miss the Barclays Premier League clash with Swansea with a one-match ban after his red card at Manchester United last weekend.

Jerome Thomas and Jonathan Parr (both ankle), plus Yannick Bolasie (hamstring) are nearing returns.

Jonny Williams, Jack Hunt (both ankle) and Glenn Murray (knee) are out until the rest of the year, while Joel Ward (calf) and Paddy McCarthy (groin) are also sidelined.

Swansea's Ashley Williams is a doubt due to an ankle injury and faces a late fitness test. Pablo Hernandez is absent due to a hamstring strain but Neil Taylor (thigh) looks like he won't make it.

Palace (from): Speroni, Alexander, Delaney, Parr, Moxey, Gabbidon, Mariappa, O'Keefe, Jedinak, Campana, Guedioura, Bannan, Kebe, Thomas, Grandin, Puncheon, Chamakh, Gayle, Phillips, Jerome.

Swansea (from): Vorm, Amat, Taylor, Flores, Williams, Britton, Shelvey, Michu, Bony, Dyer, Lamah, Routledge, Monk, Tiendalli, De Guzman, Canas, Rangel, Pozuelo, Vazquez, Tremmel, Davies.

Quotes

Roy Hodgson

“I’m delighted how my team has responded this week and none more pleasing for our fans at Old Trafford. Some of the songs our fans were singing, I found myself chuckling.

“I can’t wait to hear what they come with on Sunday and next week. And I can’t wait to see what that Holmesdale end does, it’s a wonderful spirit. We had a gospel choir this week at an event by the Foundation, I had a smile on my face throughout. It’s an honour and privilege to be here at this club.”

Joel Ward

"The injury is on the mend. Obviously it is frustrating but everyone knows you can pick up niggles and stuff and now I am just doing my best to get back as quick as I can.

"We are just taking one day at a time. I have to see how I react to certain treatments and things. I can’t put a time on it but I am just trying to get back as quick as I can. Hopefully I will be back very soon.

"I couldn’t go to the Manchester United game as I had to stay behind and get treatment and look after myself so I stayed back.

"I caught bits and bobs of the game. It was frustrating as I thought the lads did really and it was a shame how the game went in terms of the decisions and things.

"It has been well publicised about what happened but we have to move on now and put it behind us.

"Your are always going to come up against tricky players in this league and you have to adjust each time when you are up against new players as each player is different.

"We do our research though and we looking into each player and we get a biography of players we are up against so we can have a look at their strength and weaknesses and we go from there."

Dean Moxey

“I had a good end to the last season and I played some of my best football, and I just kept ticking over in the summer and couldn’t wait to get back and play in the Premier League.

“It’s what I want to do, and Jonny Parr is getting fit now too so I’ve got to keep playing well. I want this place and it’s mine at the minute.

“There’s not a lot of people that come out of Devon and make it in the Premier League. I’m very proud I’ve worked my way up, and I’ve worked hard to get to where I am today.

“The aim is to stay in the Premier League and that’s what we’re pushing to do. The first four games we’ve played some fantastic football so I’m hoping we can push on until the rest of the season.”

Adlene Guedioura

“Hopefully now we can get back and focus on next week because it’s a home game against Swansea and it’s going to be important for us.

“I couldn’t see it (the foul for the penalty) but I was told it should have been a free-kick. The decision was made and we can’t go back now, but it was a bit harsh for KG.

“It’s good for me to play against Man Utd away (in my first game) and you never expect this in football, you expect it later, but it’s good and hopefully the next game we will do better. I think we did well but it was a bit harsh the defeat, yes.”

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
15/01/2011	League	Swansea City	3 - 0	Crystal Palace
30/10/2010	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 3	Swansea City
09/02/2010	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 1	Swansea City
28/12/2009	League	Swansea City	0 - 0	Crystal Palace
14/03/2009	League	Swansea City	1 - 3	Crystal Palace

All time results

Last meeting

Swansea City 3-0 Palace

Saturday January 15 2011

Swansea City: Speroni, Gardner, Wright, McCarthy, Clyne, Danns, Garvan, Dorman (Andrew, 57), Iversen (Easter, 61), Zaha, Counago (O'Keefe, 71)

Subs not used: Price, Davis, Barrett, Cadogan

Bookings: Wright

Palace: De Vries, Tate, Williams, Rangel, Pratley, Gower, Sinclair, Dyer (Dobbie, 85), Allen, Richards (Alfei, 89), Moore (van der Gun, 85)

Subs not used: Beattie, Makaba-Makalamby, Agustien, Serran

Goals: Pratley 43, Sinclair 56 (pen), Sinclair 61 (pen)

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