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Football London
Football London
Sport
Mark Wyatt

McArthur starts, Edouard decision made: Crystal Palace predicted team vs Burnley

Patrick Vieira is expected to make changes to his Crystal Palace starting XI today for the visit of Sean Dyche's Burnley to Selhurst Park.

The Eagles picked up their first Premier League win of 2022 on Wednesday night as they toppled Watford 4-1 at Vicarage Road to secure just their second away victory all season.

Burnley arrive in south London off the back of two impressive victories against Brighton and Spurs that leave them within touching distance of escaping the relegation zone.

Vieira is likely to want his No.1 keeper back between the sticks, and after not mentioning him among the list of injured players in yesterday’s press conference, Vicente Guaita should be back in goal.

Joel Ward does remain out with a groin issue, however, meaning Nathaniel Clyne is set to return at right-back. The rest of the back four picks itself, with Marc Guehi - who captained the side on Wednesday night for the first time - Joachim Andersen and Tyrick Mitchell all expected to start.

In midfield, James McArthur came off the bench against Watford while Cheikhou Kouyate completed his second 90 minutes in five days.

That makes it likely that the recently-crowned Africa Cup of Nations winner Kouyate will be rested for the visit of Burnley, with McArthur taking his place in midfield alongside Will Hughes and Conor Gallagher.

Jeffrey Schlupp will still be hoping he can force his way back into the starting XI after effectively being pushed out following McArthur and Kouyate's return, though he might be eyeing up a place in the team to take on Stoke in the FA Cup next Tuesday.

Wilfried Zaha should start on the left after he took his tally for the season to eight with two strikes against the Hornets in midweek.

Neither Jordan Ayew - who started - nor Michael Olise - who came off the bench - impressed all that much against Burnley at Turf Moor, but the latter’s recent form means he should keep the shirt for today’s game.

The big question is who takes the centre-forward spot, with Jean-Philippe Mateta currently in possession of the place after netting the opener against Watford.

The task will remain for Odsonne Edouard or Christian Benteke to try and make an impact off the bench and force their way back into the starting XI.

Predicted Crystal Palace XI: Guaita; Mitchell, Guehi, Andersen, Clyne; McArthur, Hughes, Gallagher; Zaha, Mateta, Olise.

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