It may not yet be December, but it feels as if crunch time is already upon Crystal Palace. Roy Hodgson has overseen significantly improved performances over his side’s past five matches, yet the team have still won only once all term and are adrift at the foot playing catch-up from that wretched start. Stoke City, who have not won at Selhurst Park in a decade and are enduring their own inconsistencies, must surely be overcome if Palace’s confidence is to be bolstered before Tuesday’s derby at Brighton. This may be the time to fling Christian Benteke back into the fray from the start. Dominic FifieldKick-off Saturday 3pmVenue Serlhurst ParkLast season Crystal Palace 4 Stoke City 1Referee Mike DeanThis season G9, Y33, R1, 3.77 cards per gameOdds H 15-13 A 3-1 D 5-2Crystal PalaceSubs from Hennessey, Henry, Lokilo, Fosu-Mensah, Kelly, Van Aanholt, Delaney, Souaré, Mutch, Tomkins, Ladapo, Puncheon, Sako, Riedewald, McArthur, KaikaiDoubtful Benteke (match fitness), Loftus-Cheek (back), Van Aanholt (hamstring)Injured Lee (hamstring, Dec), Wickham (knee, Jan)Suspended NoneForm LWLDLDDiscipline Y24 R0Leading scorer Zaha 3Stoke CitySubs from Grant, Haugaard, Afellay, Berahino, Tymon, Verlinden, Wimmer, Crouch, Rodríguez, Sobhi, JohnsonDoubtful NoneInjured Cameron (concussion, 2 Dec), Butland (finger, 12 Dec), Ireland (leg, unkown)Suspended NoneForm WLLWDDDiscipline Y12 R0Leading scorers Choupo-Moting 3, Crouch, Diouf 3

Source: The Guardian November 24, 2017 13:07 UTC