Crystal Palace vs Sheff Utd predictions: Strugglers to cancel each other out
- Crystal Palace have failed to score in three successive matches
- Sheffield United have not scored in five of their last eight games on the road
- Recommended bet: Tie and Under 2.5 goals
After a week's rest, Crystal Palace return to Premier League duties when they take on Sheffield United at Selhurst Park on Tuesday evening.
The Eagles were last in action against Arsenal, with Roy Hodgson's men losing 5-0 at the Emirates, while Chris Wilder's Blades were eliminated from the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, losing 5-2 against Brighton.
Team News
Hodgson is still without several key players ahead of Tuesday's contest, with Michael Olise, Rob Holding, Joel Ward and Cheick Doucoure all still on the sidelines.
Forward Jordan Ayew is available for selection again, having returned from the Africa Cup of Nations after a disappointing tournament for Ghana.
Fellow striker Odsonne Edouard, who returned from injury in the recent FA Cup third-round replay against Everton, is also fit enough to lead the line should Hodgson choose to select him.
Sheffield United forward Rhian Brewster will continue to serve his three-match ban, but Wilder has the likes of Ben Brereton Diaz, William Osula and Cameron Archer to call upon in the final third.
Both John Egan and Chris Basham remain long-term absentees, while Yasser Larouci and Anis Ben Slimane are back from AFCON.
Max Lowe and Tom Davies have recently spent time on the sidelines, but both should be fit enough to make the bench.
The stats
Crystal Palace have failed to trouble the scoresheet in their last three games in all competitions, but they are unbeaten in three games at home.
The Eagles have scored 22 league goals this season, the third-fewest in the Premier League. Only Burnley and Tuesday's opponents have scored fewer.
Since Wilder's return, the Blades have improved their performances, but they have still only won two of their last 10 games.
Away from home, they are winless in 11 matches, failing to score in six of those ties.
Prediction
This is a contest between two teams who are low on confidence and desperate not to lose.
Palace are only five points above the relegation zone, but they have been without so many of their first-team players in recent weeks.
Their recent record at Selhurst Park suggests they will be hard to break down, and the Blades have not exactly impressed on the road.
Wilder and Hodgson will set their teams up to not lose, and they should cancel each other out in Tuesday's tie.
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