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Crystal Palace Preview Wolves by Always Wolves 2 hours ago
CRYSTAL PALACE V WOLVES: PREVIEW
We preview Wolves trip to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace with all the latest news , facts, stats and predictions.
TEAM NEWS
Wolves have been handed a timely fitness boost ahead of Sunday’s trip to Selhurst Park, with Angel Gomes expected to be fit despite going off injured in the first half of the 2-2 draw with Arsenal. Rob Edwards confirmed the midfielder suffered a back issue in midweek, but it has now settled and Gomes has trained with the squad. Edwards did admit Wolves are carrying a few minor niggles in the group, but there is further encouragement with Toti back in training after a long spell out since December with a hamstring injury, and the captain could be involved against Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace also head into Sunday with a few fitness concerns after Thursday night’s 1-1 draw away to HSK Zrinjski Mostar. Oliver Glasner is expected to remain without long-term absentees Cheick Doucoure, Eddie Nketiah and Jean-Philippe Mateta, while Jefferson Lerma looks set to miss out again after being forced off at half time against Burnley last weekend and then sitting out the midweek trip. Palace will also keep a close eye on Maxence Lacroix, who was forced off on Thursday and will face a late fitness test, although fellow defender Chadi Riad should be available after cramp in midweek.
ROB EDWARDS
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Edwards confirmed Angel Gomes is fit and available after suffering a back “spasm” and Toti Gomes “could potentially be involved” this weekend after training with the group following his hamstring injury.
On the rest of the squad, he added: “There’s a few we have got to check on. We know we have a tight squad. We have got to look after everyone between these games with them coming thick and fast as they are. But the vast majority of the group are in good nick.”
On whether he’s looking forward to facing Jorgen Strand Larsen for the first time since his move to Palace: “[I] look forward to seeing him again. [I’ve] only just said goodbye.”
On criticism the striker received during his time at the club, Edwards added: “He’s a good man, good person and a really good footballer. In life, you’re not going to be able to please everybody. He can look himself in the mirror and say he gave everything, he worked hard, and that’s all that matters.”
Asked about how youngster Tom Edozie has been since scoring on his senior debut against Arsenal: “He’s been really good, smiling in training this morning and had a spring in his step.”
He added: “It was a really nice story for him. I think his finish was excellent, keeping it down low in that pressurised moment when people are coming to charge on him. Brilliant moment for him.”
On his side’s recent form following the win in the FA Cup against Grimsby Town and the draw against Arsenal, he said: “I feel like we’ve been competing well and I feel like there’s a good energy around the place. Two good results and we showed a lot of good character in both and that’s what we’re going to need in abundance going forward for the rest of the season.”
Edwards also touched on opponents Palace: “They’re good. They’re playing in Europe for a reason. I know I said it in the first game, Oliver Glasner is a brilliant manager, done a brilliant job. They’ve got loads of good players, so it will be a really difficult game as always away from home.”
Referee: Tom Kirk. Assistants: Simon Bennett, Neil Davies. Fourth official: Ben Toner. VAR: Stuart Attwell. Assistant VAR: Steve Meredith.
MATCH STATS & FACTS
Crystal Palace have won their last five Premier League home games against Wolves. It’s their longest winning run against an opponent in their top-flight history, while they last won six consecutive home league games (any division) against Walsall between 1977 and 2004.
Wolves have lost eight of their last 10 Premier League games against Crystal Palace (W1 D1), while they’ve never beaten the Eagles in the competition when failing to keep a clean sheet (D2 L9).
Wolves have won just one of their 11 away league games against London sides since the start of last season (D2 L8), beating Fulham 4-1 in November 2024.
Crystal Palace are winless in their last eight Premier League home games (D3 L5), their longest run at Selhurst Park in the top-flight since their first 15 of the 1997-98 campaign (D4 L11).
Just 37.5% of Crystal Palace’s Premier League points this season have come in home games (12/32) – only Spurs (34.5%) have won a lower share at home this term.
Wolves are winless in their last 15 Premier League away games (D4 L11), and are the only side in England’s top four tiers without an away league win this season (D4 L9).
Crystal Palace are the only side to have scored more than half of their Premier League goals via set pieces this season (54% – 15/28, including penalties). The Eagles have also scored a league-high 18% of their goals from the penalty spot this term (5/28).
Crystal Palace are the only side to have conceded more than half of their Premier League goals via set pieces this season (53% – 17/32, including penalties).
Crystal Palace striker Jørgen Strand Larsen scored 15 goals in 57 Premier League games for Wolves, including one in 22 this season. The last player to score for and against the same team in a single Premier League campaign (excluding own goals) was Henrikh Mkhitaryan in 2017-18 (Manchester United).
Jørgen Strand Larsen has scored more goals in 180 minutes of Premier League football for Crystal Palace this season (2) than he did in 1405 minutes for Wolves this term (1).
FORM GUIDE (ALL COMPETITIONS)
CRYSTAL PALACE V WOLVES: PREVIEW
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