With the Premier League Relegation scrap still looking like going to the wire, the battle for points is as crucial as ever. Currently in sixteenth, Crystal Palace are two points clear of Cardiff in eighteenth. That is also with one game in hand. However, the complexity of the situation is highlighted by Sunderland - second from last - having played at least two games less than most teams. Manager Tony Pulis has done a remarkable job to have what looked like relegation certainties, into survival frontrunners. However with the final stretch approaching it could be the form of his Creative Wide players which is critical.
On the books at Palace up front is Glenn Murray, Marouane Chamakh, Cameron Jerome and the less used Dwight Gayle. Pressure on Murray to get goals will no doubt come, with his excellent record at Championship level. However, after a horrendous injury and it being his first time as a top level player - the Eagles can't rely just on him. So the less prolific Chamakh and Jerome will be the ones looked at for goals. The former is the clubs top Scorer - with just six goals - which highlights the lack of prolific finishing. The former Stoke Frontman Jerome's record is poor - with one goal to his name. Creating chances and plenty of them will be vital.
Step forward a trio of Players. The widmen at the club - Tom Ince, Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon. All have great potential for beating a full-back and delivering a cross (Ince and Bolasie especially). The quality of assist and amount of good crosses could be the difference for Palace. With the afore mentioned Poor conversion rates of the clubs Front players, getting them as many chances will be pivotal. Indeed Puncheon has proven he has the ability to score himself - three times this campaign. Simply put Goals win Games and with the Eagles in a scrap, every win counts.
Source: DSG
