Crystal Palace welcome Southampton to Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles sit just one point above their upcoming visitors - though have played a game fewer. While the faith in Patrick Vieira at Selhurst Park has scarcely wavered despite Palace's sluggish start, Ralph Hasenhuttl's job security needed the bolstering provided by a run of five points from three games.
Here's everything you need to know about the two sides heading into the contest.
Where are Crystal Palace vs Southampton playing?
- Location: London, England
- Stadium: Selhurst Park
- Date: Saturday 29 October
- Kick-off Time: 15:00 BST / 10:00 EST / 07:00 PST
- VAR: David Coote
- Referee: Michael Salisbury
Crystal Palace vs Southampton H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Crystal Palace: 2 Wins
Southampton: 2 Wins
Draws: 1
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Crystal Palace: LWDWL
Southampton: LLDWD
Crystal Palace team news
Cheick Doucoure's absence was keenly felt in the 3-0 thumping Everton dished out to Palace last weekend. But the 22-year-old will be available for selection once again after serving his suspension.
Nathan Ferguson is inching towards his first minutes of the season while Chris Richards could be involved in his first squad since the start of September. Nathaniel Clyne is scheduled for a return in November, but no timescale has been afforded to Jack Butland (wrist) or James McArthur (groin).
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Southampton
Crystal Palace Starting 11 (4-1-4-1): Guaita; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Doucoure; Ayew, Olise, Eze, Zaha; Edouard.
Bench: Johnstone, Tomkins, Riedewald, Hughes, Schlupp, Ebiowei, Richards, Mateta, Milivojevic.
Southampton team news
Kyle Walker-Peters remains a doubt with a hamstring problem but Ainsley Maitland-Niles will be available after sitting out last weekend's impressive 1-1 draw against his parent club Arsenal.
Romeo Lavia has resumed training but Hasenhuttl warned against rushing the 18-year-old back too quickly. Armel Bella-Kotchap has missed the previous two outings after dislocating his shoulder but "looks good" and may return to Staplewood next week.
Southampton predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace
Southampton Starting 11 (3-5-2): Bazunu; Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Salisu; Elyounoussi, Diallo, Ward-Prowse, S Armstrong, Perraud; A Armstrong, Aribo.
Bench: McCarthy, Adams, Mara, Djenepo, Edozie, Larios, Walcott, Lavia, Payne.
Crystal Palace vs Southampton score prediction
The first goal may not be quite as telling as it usually is on Saturday. This season, only Leicester have dropped more points from winning positions than Palace. Last term, Southampton topped the division in this unwanted category and have hardly ditched the habit this year.
In what is typically a fractious encounter - typified by the perceived antipathy between Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha and Saints skipper James Ward-Prowse - the hosts have a slight edge in a contest which could fall either way.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Southampton
Source : 90min