Crystal Palace vs Luton Town

A keenly-contested battle for Premier League survival is heating up as Crystal Palace and Luton Town go head-to-head at Selhurst Park.

Oliver Glasner’s managerial tenure at Crystal Palace started as a fairytale as his side demolished Burnley 3-0 on his touchline debut. However, reality knocked him hard on his first Premier League travel as Tottenham came from behind to beat the Eagles 3-1 last weekend, leaving them eight points clear of the drop zone. There’s no reason to panic yet, especially as they return to Selhurst Park, where they’ve only lost once in their last five league matches (W3, D1). But after a 2-1 defeat in November’s reverse fixture, Palace can’t take anything for granted despite their free-scoring form at home. Indeed, they’ve bagged precisely three goals in three of their last five top-flight outings in their backyard. That bodes well as they bid to avenge a dreadful five-game form against Luton (W1, L4).

On the other hand, Luton’s survival hopes took another tumble last weekend as Aston Villa’s late strike condemned them to a 3-2 home defeat, their fourth league loss in a row! Stranded four points adrift of safety, the visitors can’t afford a slip-up in London’s suburban, but that’s easier said than done. Not only are the Hatters winless on their last three Premier League travels (D2, L1), but just two sides lament a worse away points tally than their eight this term (W2, D3, L7). On the bright side, Luton’s two league victories on the road this season have come against fellow bottom-half rivals, suggesting this could be their chance to end a rotten patch. But they must plug their defensive leaks to make it happen after conceding precisely four goals in their last two away matches (D1, L1).