Crystal Palace v Swansea
15:00
Both these sides will be glad to see the back of 2016 but their first match in 2017 could define the rest of this year. Palace offered little against Arsenal on New Year’s Day but Swansea probably produced the worst display of the last round as they were thrashed at home by Bournemouth and they’ve now lost four on the spin while conceding 13 times and scoring just twice.
On the road, it’s just one point from their last eight matches for the Swans and they’ve conceded three times in five of the last six. Of course they conceded four when these teams met in South Wales recently but still won. Those defensive failings, which stretch back well into last season, have seen 15 of their last 19 away games have at least three goals.
Palace are still the sixth highest scorers this season and seven of their nine games this season against teams currently in the bottom half have had at least three goals with six having four or more. Their home form has been poor but they’ve only hosted one side currently in the bottom eight and they won that 4-1. Swansea have a few injury concerns and look rudderless right now. We expect Palace to win and with Wilf Zaha departing to the African Cup of Nations after this he’ll be keen to give another man of the match display. Against this defence there should be goals and Over 2.5 also looks a great bet.
