Crystal Palace vs Wolverhampton Wanderers. Premier League.
Selhurst Park.
James Tomkins remains out for Crystal Palace while Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri has been ruled out; follow Crystal Palace vs Wolves on Sky Sports Premier League from 2.30pm on Saturday; kick-off 3pm
Friday 29 January 2021 20:03, UK
Team news and stats ahead of Crystal Palace vs Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday; kick-off 3pm.
Crystal Palace will again be without centre-back James Tomkins when they host Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday.
The defender missed the midweek defeat to West Ham after he suffered an eye injury in training and was set to see a specialist on Friday to determine the full extent of the issue.
Tomkins joins a growing injury list with Wayne Hennessey (thigh), Nathan Ferguson (knee), Mamadou Sakho (thigh), Jeffrey Schlupp (hamstring) and Connor Wickham (thigh) already sidelined, but new signing Jean-Philippe Mateta can make his debut after he was granted a visa this week.
Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri has been ruled out of the contest following his withdrawal at half-time in Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Chelsea due to an abductor problem.
Fellow full-backs Marcal (groin) and Jonny (knee) are also sidelined, along with striker Raul Jimenez (fractured skull).
Morgan Gibbs-White returned to group training on Friday after self-isolating having tested positive for coronavirus.
Crystal Palace vs Wolves will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League from 2.30pm on Saturday; kick-off at 3pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Free highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
The world looked a scary place for a while with Crystal Palace soaring above 14th place in the Premier League, a position they have held since football was invented. OK, I jest. It's been 170 days since the start of the 2018/19 season.
Their stint at the giddy heights of 13th lasted only a few days. Palace and 14th are a match made in heaven.
I'm sure many Palace fans will bite your hand off for a 14th place come the end of the season now. Roy Hodgson has got his team playing relegation-standard football again, showcased by their limp performance in the 3-2 defeat to West Ham which flattered the Eagles. Only West Brom (48) have conceded more Premier League goals this season than Crystal Palace (36). The myth surrounding them being defensively sound is now very much in the bin.
This looks a fine opportunity for Wolves to kickstart their season. Nuno Espirito Santo's boys have won the last three meetings in all competitions and all without conceding. It will be a tough watch with them reverting to a more restrictive style of late, but their quality in forward areas with the likes of Pedro Neto and Adama Traore should see them edge ahead. One goal will be enough.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 0-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
In this week's Pitch to Post Preview Podcast Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp joins Peter Smith to look ahead to the big Saturday night clash between Arsenal and Manchester United, and gives his verdict on Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard - and why Man Utd slipped up against Sheffield United.
We also get the inside story on Man City's title pursuit from Sky Sports News reporter Ben Ransom, who explains how one City star has been transformed by Pep Guardiola's methods this season.
And Sky Sports feature writer Adam Bate reflects on Liverpool's much-needed win at Tottenham - and the injuries sustained which could impact both sides. Plus he makes his Pitch for what will happen in the next round of Premier League games…
Listen to the Sky Sports Pitch to Post Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox
