Palace v Leicester City

Selhurst Park, Saturday 3.00pm

Jeffrey Schlupp

Team news

Crystal Palace defender Jeffrey Schlupp is available after recovering from his ankle injury and could line up against his old side after playing for the U23s this week.

Striker Connor Wickham (groin) is also available, leaving manager Roy Hodgson with the unusual option of having three fit strikers (Christian Benteke and Alexander Sorloth) for the first time this season.

Bakary Sako (ankle), Scott Dann and Jason Puncheon (both knee) are now the only casualties.

Leicester duo Kasper Schmeichel and Shinji Okazaki (both ankle) are sidelined for the Foxes, while Daniel Amartey (hamstring) is a doubt.

Palace (from): Hennessey, Cavalieri, Speroni, Wan-Bissaka, Fosu-Mensah, Tomkins, Sakho, Kelly, Delaney, Jach, Riedewald, Van Aanholt, Souare, Schlupp, Townsend, Cabaye, Milivojevic, Loftus-Cheek, McArthur, Rakip, Lee, Zaha, Benteke, Sorloth, Wickham.

Leicester (from): Hamer, Jakupovic, Maguire, Morgan, Fuchs, Simpson, Chilwell, Benalouane, Dragovic, Albrighton, Gray, Silva, Choudhury, Ndidi, Vardy, Iheanacho, Diabate.

Quotes

Roy Hodgson

"That [38 points] would seem to be quite a good total this year, with so many teams not close to that. But you never know. It is trying to make certain we win each of the three matches left and take no chances.

"I certainly will not be relaxing and ensuring the players do not relax until we are safe. I think it is going to take more than three points to ensure we are safe.

"I feel sorry for [Christian Benteke]. He certainly has tried his hardest. I can't complain about his attitude, his desire, his work-rate. But centre forwards, especially ones that cost quite a lot of money, are judged on one thing and one thing alone.

"If you're not scoring those goals then the problem gets magnified, made worse with every passing game. It's a vicious circle, it's self-perpetuating and the only way to stop it is for him to force his way back in and when he gets back into the team to score goals and convert the chances that come his way.

"He's not been able to do that this season, but I've got to say, to anyone who doubts him, it isn't through want of trying. It is just one of those things that football players go through.

"I have a lot of respect and admiration for Jamie Vardy. I was the one who brought him into the England squad and showed, I hope, the faith I and my coaching staff at the time had in him. He never let us down.

"He's a worker, he's a goalscorer and he's a constant thorn in the side of any defence and that's what we're preparing for."

Claude Puel

"I think it is our problem at this moment [sluggish starts]. It was better in the last game against Southampton. The beginning of the game was at a good tempo but not enough chances.

"It is important to continue and correct this situation. When the opponent is leading it is better for them because they can defend deep with a strong defensive unit and it is always difficult to break them down or to find space, or to create chances.

"A good start is important because it can give us a good way in the game. If we know this aspect we will correct it earlier. I think it is important to have a good feeling and motivation, and to start our game with a good determination and desire. Also the good tempo."

Leicester City - league stats

Full league table

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
16/12/2017	League	Leicester City	0 - 3	Crystal Palace
15/04/2017	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 2	Leicester City
22/10/2016	League	Leicester City	3 - 1	Crystal Palace
19/03/2016	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 1	Leicester City
24/10/2015	League	Leicester City	1 - 0	Crystal Palace

All time results

Last meeting

Leicester City 0-3 Palace

Saturday December 16 2017

Leicester City: Schmeichel, Morgan, Maguire, Simpson yellow card, Chilwell, Ndidi, Albrighton (Okazaki, 77), Iborra (King, 77), Gray, Mahrez, Vardy (Ulloa, 85)

Subs not used: Dragovic, Fuchs, Hamer, K Iheanacho

Bookings: Simpson, Ndidi, Maguire

Sent off: Ndidi (61)

Palace: Speroni, Schlupp, Kelly, Tomkins, Dann, McArthur, Cabaye (Riedewald, 85), Townsend, Loftus-Cheek, Zaha, Benteke (Sako, 88)

Subs not used: Wan-Bissaka, van Aanholt, Lee, Hennessey, Souare

Goals: Benteke (19), Zaha (40) Sako (90)

Bookings: Benteke, Schlupp

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