With the final international break before the World Cup kicks off in June now firmly behind us, our attention focuses once more on the Premier League as we enter what many will call “the business end of the season”
The action resumes in South London on Saturday lunchtime as Crystal Palace play host to Liverpool at Selhurst Park. These two outfits were one of a handful of clubs who played in a curtailed programme of fixtures before the competition took its March hiatus.
Not only that though but they were both on the winning side of their respective fixtures as the Eagles and the Reds picked up a vital three points albeit for far differing reasons while at opposite ends of the table.
For Crystal Palace it was a first win in eight Premier League matches and it was arguably a crucial time in which to regain some semblance of form as Roy Hodgson’s men travelled to Huddersfield and came away from the John Smith’s Stadium having won by two goals to nil.
That victory in Yorkshire is a result that sees them steer clear of the relegation zone. However, they cannot rest on their laurels as the end goal of securing their top-flight status for another campaign is still some way off.
To stave off the threat of relegation once and for all they are going to need somewhere in the region of nine points from their last league matches. Although with that said they may well struggle to move closer to that target when Jurgen Klopp brings his Liverpool side to town.
They were in scintillating form before the break and this was no less evident than with Egyptian international Mohamed Salah. The former Roma forward was nothing short of sensational as he recorded a four-goal haul against Watford.
That contribution led Liverpool to a 5-0 win at Anfield and it was a result that saw them leapfrog over Tottenham into third in the table albeit having played one game more. Going into this game there is also something of a short-term incentive.
That being the fact that should they pick up a win at Selhurst Park they will go into second for at least a couple of hours. All three points would see them move above Manchester United by a solitary point.
Although it would undoubtedly put the pressure on Jose Mourinho’s men it does come with the caveat that the Red Devils would have two games in hand and would only need to win one of those to wrestle back the title of ‘best of the rest’ what with Manchester City being so far in the distance.
There is also the extra incentive for Liverpool this weekend in the fact that Chelsea and Tottenham square off at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with one or even both clubs dropping points come full time then a win for the Merseysiders would solidify their hopes of finishing in the top four.
There is no doubting that Crystal Palace save their best football for their own fans, but they would struggle against a red hot Liverpool. It would be a huge surprise to see anything another than an away win this Saturday lunchtime.