Crewe travel to Selhurst Park on a day which will have a large bearing on the relegation battle. Both sides have been in good form over the last 6 games, having taken 10 points. Palace are looking to consolidate home advantage in the second leg of the play-offs by finishing 3rd or 4th, though this target appears somewhat trivial in contrast with Crewe’s battle to avoid relegation. Meanwhile, Norwich travel to Sheffield Wednesday, Millwall host Plymouth and Brighton travel to Ipswich.
Vital Quotes:
Iain Dowie on Crewe: ‘Dario has done brilliant to turn it around. If they were to get out of trouble it would be a fantastic achievement. During the January window they brought in some strength and height with Madjid Bougherra at the back and Gareth Taylor up-front. I still think Crewe can avoid relegation but it’s a little bit like Wolves and the play-offs, they need other people to trip up.’
Dario Gradi on Palace’s dangermen: ‘Crystal Palace have some outstanding players in the league. I have always liked Johnson. I thought he would become a member of the England party but it hasn’t quite worked out like that for him this season. Saying that, if Owen isn’t fit for the World Cup then Johnson is probably the nearest thing to him.’
Crystal Palace Team News:
Clinton Morrison is in line to start for Palace despite coming off injured at half-time against Leicester. Defender Tony Popovic is a doubt having missed the Leicester game with a back problem. Meanwhile, midfielder Aki Riihilahti, who so nearly signed for Crewe before joining Palace, is definitely out with a calf injury.
Player to watch: Andy Johnson
The nippy striker is Palace’s leading goalscorer this season with 14 in all competitions. Johnson also leads the way for Palace in terms of assists with 6. Johnson’s pace and movement is likely to Crewe’s defence no end of problems on Saturday.
Crewe Team News:
Crewe have been dealt a massive blow with the news that defender Madjid Bougherra may be out of tomorrow’s game. The Algerian international has been suffering with a dental problem in the past few days, meaning that Chris McCready is on stand-by. Bougherra’s pace would be a major asset against the pace of Johnson and Morrison, whereas McCready’s slow, often clumsy style could seriously harm Crewe’s chances of 3 points.
The rest of the team is expected to be unchanged, and if Bougherra is fit to play, it will be the eight consecutive game in which Dario Gradi has named an unchanged side. Michael Higdon is still out with an ankle injury, meaning that teenager Michael O’Connor is expected to be named amongst the substitutes once again. Juan Ugarte and Ben Williams are out for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, David Vaughan is pushing hard for a recall in place of either Luke Rodgers or Steve Jones, though Dario may wait until Monday to give Vaughan his first start since January.
Player to watch: Kenny Lunt
The midfielder has been in excellent form since the arrival of Tony Grant. Lunt’s delivery into the box was superb last weekend, as was his defensive work as he tackled back and covered effectively.
Match Facts & Stats
Last Time Out: The sides drew 2-2 at Gresty Road earlier in the season as Michael Higdon bagged a last minute equaliser for the Alex. Crewe had taken the lead through Steve Jones, though Palace went 2-1 ahead following goals from Clinton Morrison and Dougie Freedman. Andy Johnson didn’t feature for Palace.
Recent Meetings:
Crewe 2-2 Palace
Crewe 2-3 Palace
Palace 1-3 Crewe
Crewe 0-0 Palace
In the 19 meetings between the sides, Palace have won 9, Crewe have won 3, and there have been 7 draws.
Palace’s Leading Goalscorer: Andy Johnson – 14
Palace’s Leading Assistsman: Andy Johnson – 6
Crewe’s Leading Goalscorer: Billy Jones – 8
Crewe’s Leading Assistsman: Steve Jones – 12
Palace have the 8th worst disciplinary record in the league.
Ref Watch:
Michael Russell (31 games, 77 yellow cards, 4 red)
Match Prediction:
Palace 2-2 Crewe