David Wagner and Huddersfield Town are set to make their Premier League bow this weekend against a Palace side with new manager Frank de Boer also making his.
The team selections for both sides is anybody’s guess at this stage of the season but both sides are expected to hand debuts out to summer signing’s
Palace have trialled a new 3-4-3 system in pre-season whereas Huddersfield are likely to stick to the 4-2-3-1 system that worked so well for them last season, with a lot of Wagners front players interchangeable and working together on the high press.
Vital Quotes:
Speaking about Huddersfield the former Ajax boss claimed that Palace’s expectations have grown and the pressure will be on his side to deliver in their first home game of the season
‘The pressure is much higher now and we have to deal with that. Huddersfield want to show they can stay in the Premie League so they will show a lot of energy.
‘They have nothing to lose in this game whereas we do. We are confident but we respect every single team in this division.’
Crystal Palace Team News:
Yohan Cabaye, James McArthur and Bakary Sako all absent for Palace with new manager de Boer claiming all 3 aren’t fit enough
Defender Pape Souare is close to a recovery after being involved in a car crash nearly a year ago.
New signings Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jaïro Riedewald and Timothy Fosu-Mensah all in the squad looking for debuts
Player to watch: Wilfred Zaha
Without doubt the Palace talisman and a clear attacking threat, attempted 284 dribbles in the Premier League last season, 86 more than any other player.
Huddersfield Town Team News:
Martin Cranie (hip) and Jon Gorenc Stankovic (knee) are both missing for Huddersfield
Nahki Wells is also out for up to 6 weeks.
Jonathan Hogg (ankle) expected to be back later this month
Player to watch: Steve Mounie
The clubs record signing has been on fire in pre-season and I expect him to continue in his goal scoring vein of form
Match Facts & Stats
Huddersfield`s last top-flight match was in April 1972 and also away at Crystal Palace, when these two sides played out a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.
Palace have won just one of their last 12 competitive games against Huddersfield Town (W1 D7 L4)
Crystal Palace have won only one of their last five opening day matches in the Premier League, losing three of the last four (W1 D1 L3).
Ref Watch:
Referee: Jon Moss
Assistant Refs: E Smart and A Halliday
Fourth Official: G Scott
Match Prediction:
Palace 1-1 Huddersfield
