Premier League Tactical Preview: Crystal Palace to take points from Man Utd and other battles

Alex Keble
25 February 2019

Man Utd may struggle to keep Crystal Palace at bay

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Alex Keble looks ahead to the 28th round of Premier League matches, predicting more dropped points for Spurs and Man Utd...

"N’Golo Kante ran the show at Wembley, benefiting from a deeper starting position and smaller area of the pitch to cover; he completed a season-high eight tackles, nipping in to shut down Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva."

Almiron versus Bardsley the defining battle at St. James Park

Newcastle v Burnley
Tuesday, 20:00
Live on BT Sport 1

New signing Miguel Almiron has already made a strong first impression on Newcastle United fans with a commanding performance against Huddersfield Town, suggesting he is the creative spark that Rafael Benitez's side have craved for some time. He could endear himself yet further on Tuesday in a televised six-pointer, with Burnley right-back Phil Bardsley the obvious target for inverted left-winger Almiron.

The Paraguayan completed six key passes on Saturday which, incredibly, is the joint most of any Newcastle player in a match this season. He floated infield from the left flank to superb effect, in turn opening up space for Matt Ritchie to put crosses into the box; his 13 attempted was a personal best in 2018/19.

This is worrying for Burnley given that Bardsley is the weak point in the team. He was poor in their 3-1 victory over Brighton, frequently getting dribbled by the hosts, while Nathan Redmond and Matt Target both exposed his lack of speed in Southampton's 1-1 draw in the previous match. The 33-year-old is looking his age, offering a crucial advantage to Ritchie and Almiron in an otherwise tight game.

Batshuayi-Zaha breakaways to trigger end-to-end game

Crystal Palace v Man Utd
Wednesday, 20:00

There is a remarkable consistency to the way Crystal Palace excel when allowed to play on the counter-attack and come up short when on the front foot; in 11 their last 13 Premier League matches Palace have won when holding the minority of possession and failed to win when holding the majority. Their threat on the break has only increased since Michy Batshuayi joined the club, and with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preferring to play an expansive game Palace could cause an upset.

As Palace sit in their narrow, hunched shape, Ashley Young will push forward in the hope of adding width on the right, where United's Marcus Rashford will need support (down to bare bones, Solskjaer will probably go 4-3-3 with Anthony Martial on the left and Romelu Lukaku up front). Young's movement should leave space for Wilfried Zaha to attack Chris Smalling and link with Batshuayi.

United will undoubtedly hold the ball for long periods, not unlike Liverpool in mid-January (71%) in a 4-3 win for Jurgen Klopp's side. A similarly end-to-end contest is to be expected at Selhurst Park on Tuesday, where United's attacking shape will be tested by a counter-attacking team for the first time this month.

Sarri's emerging pragmatism to ensure Kante stumps Spurs' midfield

Chelsea v Tottenham
Wednesday, 20:00
Live on BT Sport 1

Tottenham Hotspur are unlucky to find themselves travelling to Stamford Bridge at just the wrong moment. Having looked laboured at Burnley on Saturday they could have done with facing predictable high-pressing Sarri-ball and the open spaces it leaves for teams able to pass their way out from the back. Instead, they face Chelsea three days after Maurizio Sarri finally bowed to pressure with a pragmatic, low-block approach for the League Cup final.

Pressure has been heaped onto Sarri following Kepa Arrizabalga's astonishing open mutiny against Man City, and so Sarri could decide to reinforce his power by returning to his usual approach. However, desperation (he could be a mere days away from the sack) means Chelsea's new conservatism will likely stay. Their deeper shape helps both full-backs, who had previously struggled to cover the length of the pitch, meaning Spurs' wing-backs will probably be stifled.

But more importantly N'Golo Kante ran the show at Wembley, benefiting from a deeper starting position and smaller area of the pitch to cover; he completed a season-high eight tackles, nipping in to shut down Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva. Given that Spurs struggle to move the ball fast enough away from home (Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko made it easy for Burnley to hold their shape at the weekend) Kante should be able to make Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane disappear.

Sane and Sterling to make the difference against stubborn West Ham

Man City v West Ham
Wednesday, 20:00

This is a potential banana skin game for Man City, with the story of Manuel Pellegrini's return to the Etihad making it tempting to back an away win for this stubborn, counter-attacking West Ham. But City should eventually have enough to break down the visitors, with Leroy Sane's directness up against Pablo Zabaleta an obvious route around the Hammers' shell.

Declan Rice, in the middle of a narrow defensive blockade, will probably ensure Silva and De Bruyne are mostly kept quiet, with a low-tempo slog in the first half to be expected. But assuming Pep Guardiola rotates his wingers to give Sane a start on the left, City have enough variety to avoid falling into the same trap Liverpool did in their 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.

The only threat for Man City is if Manuel Lanzini, returning from injury, can take advantage of the extra space in midfield with Fernandinho out injured. But West Ham were on a five match winless run before beating hapless Fulham at the weekend - and are yet to win on the road in 2019. A draw at half-time, before City finish the job in the second, is the best bet.