After winning their respective season openers, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa both suffered tight losses to keep them at three points through two games. A win in this game will be crucial to help them stay clear of the relegation zone. Can Crystal Palace recover to take a crucial victory? Or will Aston Villa’s tight defense keep the home side out of their net? Read on as we break down this Premier League matchup.
Crystal Palace were unlucky to welcome an Arsenal side with Alexis Sanchez on the field. They were soundly beaten 2-1 in a highly-entertaining game at home in Selhurst Park. Joel Ward equalized in the first half after Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud scored the opener. But a Damien Delaney own goal in the second half handed the Eagles their first loss of the season.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Eagles welcome another tough out in Aston Villa to Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace are 2-2-2 in their last three matches against their visitors, including going 1-1-1 at home. Last year’s matches were tight affairs; Palace lost their home match against Villa 1-0, but took a scoreless draw on the road.
Low score line aside, the Eagles had plenty of opportunities to score with midfielders Wilfried Zaha, James McArthur and Yannick Bolaise combining for 13 shots (three on target) in their home loss last season.
Zaha has already scored a goal this season in a 3-1 victory at Norwich, while McArthur has tallied two assists through two matches. If Palace are to score against Aston Villa, expect it to come from their talent-rich midfield.
The past four matchups between the two teams have fielded one goal or less.
Betting on Aston Villa
Aston Villa were impressive defensively in their first two matches – a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth and a 1-0 loss to Manchester United. Unfortunately, our praise for the club stops there. Villa were toothless on offense through the first two contests of the season.
Villa sold star striker Christian Benteke, who led the team with 13 goals last season, to Liverpool this summer. They still have Gabriel Agbonlahor and his six goals from last season along with Leandro Bacuno – who tallied six assists last year– powering their attack. The two have yet to get themselves on the score sheet this season, though.
The Villans do have a young and imposing striker in Rudy Gestede capable of bruising past Crystal Palace’s defense. Gestede headed in the winner in Villa’s victory against Bournemouth in the season opener. He’s played as a substitute through the first two matches this season. Having his fresh legs terrorizing a tiring Palace defense should help Aston Villa score a crucial goal.
Aston Villa are unbeaten in five of their last six matches, including friendlies.
Writer’s Prediction
Crystal Palace and Aston Villa play to a tight draw. Create a betting account now and win big on the best soccer leagues around the world.
