Playing for 90
Fansided

Premier League talking points for this weekend’s action

By David Hathaway

Could Chelsea actually be relegated?
Could Chelsea actually be relegated? /
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Jul 23, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Crystal Palace fans tailgate in the lot prior to the friendly match versus the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 23, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Crystal Palace fans tailgate in the lot prior to the friendly match versus the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Can Palace break through at the Britannia?

Two of the form teams in the Premier League, this game sees one of the stingiest defences come up against one of the league’s most potent away teams.

Stoke City have conceded only 14 goals so far this season—which is tied for third place in the Premier League behind Manchester United (12) and Arsenal (13), and tied with Tottenham Hotspur—and have kept seven clean sheets in their last nine Premier League outings.

Stoke are also playing with another impressive run having not conceded a single goal while captain Ryan Shawcross is on the pitch—a run that has now stretched to 497 minutes. But now after a wobbly start, Stoke’s performances in front of goal is starting to pick up as well, with Xherdan Shaqiri, Bojan Krkić, and Marko Arnautović all rounding into impressive form as the fixture list picks up over the festive period—as evidenced by their untroubled 2-0 victory over Manchester City two weeks ago.

On the other side of this contest, Crystal Palace are riding a wave of momentum and are sitting pretty in sixth place, level with Spurs on 26 points and only three points behind Manchester United. One of the best away teams in the league—with four wins from seven on the road—Palace should prove a heady test for Stoke at the Britannia Stadium and a real threat to the Potters’ parsimonious defence.

Next: Leicester v Everton

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