Will Crystal Palace win 1-0?

Anything from 1-0 to 2-0 would be a good result - Bobby Robson

Ian Holloway is known for his crackpot expressions, yet another one of his team were able to win the play offs at the end of the Championship season 2012-2013. Eight matches in 2011/2012 ended 1-0 in favour for Crystal Palace, yet no home matches in 2012/2013 were the Eagles able to keep a clean sheet and score the solitary goal. Fortunately, three matches were won 1-0 away from home and the only away wins for Palace that season were by a single goal. For a team newly promoted a 1-0 victory is key as it shows they can keep it tight at the back whilst still edging a game out, 0-0s at the end of a season can prove to be what relegates a team.

West Ham (promoted in 2011/2012 through the play offs secured four 1-0 wins whilst drawing five 0-0 in their first season back in the top flight), Reading (promoted in second (2011/2012) were able to win once 1-0 and drew 0-0 four times) and Southampton (who won the Championship (2011/2012) won two games 1-0 and drew three matches 00) were able to battle competitively in their first seasons back in the Premiership but the 1-0s and 0-0s are more than they

seem. IF West Ham had drawn their 1-0s 0-0 they wouldve ended on 38 points, Southampton wouldve ended on 37 points and Reading if theyd won their 0-0s 1-0 couldve had 36 points. 18th place and the final relegation spot was reserved for Wigan who finished the season on 36 points and the power of the 1-0 and 0-0 tells its story (Wigan won two games 1-0 and drew no games 0-0, losing three 1-0 how it couldve all been very different). One team scoring and keeping the other at bay is essential, not only for confidence, but for three points and if the Eagles want to keep soaring high in the top flight brushing wings with the Canaries, Magpies, Bluebirds, Swans and Liver birds they must keep clean sheets but score sufficiently.

Crystal Palace remain in a diamond formation which looks better suited against two centre forwards and against Tottenham Gabbidon played too deep man marking Soldado who is their sole striker. The deep midfielder Jedinak is experienced and can drop into defence when needed. Having quite a small squad the team can become predicable and the rigid style will allow most teams to exploit the Eagles weaknesses. The defenders play very deep, Danny Gabbidon in particular but his Premiership experience should be made apparent as the season goes onthe only issue is who will get the all-important goals? Maroune Chamakh bagged his first goal since September 2011 away at Stoke and Dwight Gayle opened his account at home to Sunderland with a penalty.