Southampton vs Crystal Palace: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this tonight's Premier League fixture at St Mary’s

Ronald Koeman warned about a lack of strength in depth (Getty Images)

Since Alan Pardew made the switch from Newcastle to Selhurst Park, he has lifted the struggling Eagles away from the threat of relegation, winning over half his games and unbeaten away from home.

The feel good factor Palace have is slightly extinguished around ST Mary’s, as the potential of a top four finish is slowly edging away from the Saints. After a run of four points from five games, they have dropped to sixth and are now four points off forth placed Manchester United.

And goals have been hard to come by in recent weeks, with Southampton scoring just once in their last five league matches. Their strikers have lost form, as Graziano Pelle showed against West Brom on the weekend, missing two presentable chances to equalise, and the Italian has failed to find the net in his last ten games.

LIVE: Follow latest scores and key moments from tonight's Premier League action

Crystal Palace are hardly the opposition Ronald Koeman’s would want to face, but if they have real ambitions to reach Champions League football, this is the type of game they must be winning. The home crowd will be expectant but Palace are the form team coming into the match.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Southampton 2 (Pelle, Dann og) Crystal Palace 3 (Chamakh 2, Sanogo), January 2015 – FA Cup

Crystal Palace 1 (Dann) Southampton 3 (Mané, Bertrand, Alderweireld), December 2014

Crystal Palace 0 Southampton 1 (Rodriguez), March 2014

STATS…

Southampton have beaten Crystal Palace in their last six league matches, conceding just one goal in the process, but during that time, lost two matches in both the League and FA Cups.

The Eagles have never beaten Southampton in a Premier League game (D4 L7)

Southampton have one win and one goal in their last five matches.

But the Saints boast the best defensive record away from home, shipping in just 10 goals.

Alan Pardew has won all five away games his side has faced in all competitions.

Before he took over, Palace had just three wins in 20 league games. Pardew has won 4 of his seven league games (D1 L2).

ODDS…

Southampton to win: 1.78

Crystal Palace to win: 6

Draw: 3.8

TV: Highlights on Match of the day on BBC1 at 22:45