English FA CUP
2010-02-02 - Crystal Palace vs Wolverhampton Wander
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have had their issues well publicised recently with administration meaning a sale of some of their assets, Victor Moses being the main one, and also having a 10 point penalty which means a relegation fight to look forward to.
The Eagles are now in 20th spot in the Championship and are only 4 points better off than Reading who currently occupy the last relegation spot. They have a solid 6-4-3 home record and have scored 17 goals in those games, conceding 14. They have one of the better home defences in the Championship, although their goals scored at Selhurt Park is one of the lowest.
Palace have only lost 1 of their last 8 games in all competitions and that was at Newcastle when they could not even supply a full list of substitutes. They have only lost 1 of their last 10 matches at Selhurst Park.
Danny Butterfield is most commonly a defender, but may play up front in this match. Johnny Ertl is possibly going to make his return but Lee Hills cannot play.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
It is clear that this competition will not take priority this season with survival being the ultimate prize for Mick McCarthy. He played a second string side in the first match, and is expected to do the same for this replay.
Wolves are 17th in the Premier League, and are only 1 point better off than Burnley in the relegation zone. They are 2-3-6 away from home, scoring 10 goals and conceding 23.
McCarthy had been criticised for playing a weakened team against Manchester United in a League game in December and since then his side has won 2 of 8 matches in all competitions. They are unbeaten in their last 2 games away from home in all competitions and won 0-1 at lower league Tranmere in the last round.
It is expected that Wolves will make changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Hull City over the weekend as they look to rest some of the first teamers with the game against Birmingham in mind.
Head to Head
Crystal Palace have only won 1 of their last 8 meetings with Wolves.
This is the same record that they have against Wolves at Selhurst Park, and it is Wolves who have won the last 2 times they have played there. Wolves are, in fact, unbeaten in their last 4 visits to South London.
Prediction
Crystal Palace will welcome a run in the FA Cup purely for financial reasons although staying in the Championship has to be the priority for this club. They dont really have the same options in terms of squad rotation so many of their first teamers should begin this match, although the loss of Moses is going to hurt.
Wolves are looking to spend more time in the Premier League, and Mick McCarthy has proven he is not afraid to chop and change his team to their detriment if it means picking up results in League games. I expect changes to the side but will also expect them to give the Championship side a test.
I can see this game possibly going into extra time and being a low scoring draw. I will play the under 2.5 goal option here.
The Pick :
Crystal Palace 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
