Previewing Palace: Points the Primary Purpose

Hello again.

It's Palace away today and as we know, it's another game that needs winning. I said last week that Norwich at home was a game that should be won at a canter. As it was, we reached full blown gallop at stages but today I'd be happy to just take the points. Bouncing back is key. A good performance with a boost to the goal difference is always nice and seeing as this could be one of our easiest games this year that's a possibility. But no injuries and widespread low heart rates for fans is the primary aim. That and three points of course.

I hate to call any opponent 'easy' to beat but as I said yesterday, Palace are quite literally out of their league. They are Championship quality and a team that comes up as surprise Play Off Champions is always likely to struggle. I look through their squad and see a side with no match winners at this level and lacking the in cavalier spirit that might have made up for this. Their defending, at times, has been quite literally comical. The manner in which they conceded a penalty at Old Trafford is my personal rib-tickler of choice.

We have what it takes to break them down ten time over and while the Cup game at Chelsea midweek will be when most rotation occurs, we're unlikely to field our very strongest side today. Despite this though, our renewed depth means we will put out a team capable of winning the game. Central defense is the only position I worry about with that nasty run of fixtures rearing its head.

With regards to injuries there's nothing new. I cursed the squad last week by noting a refreshing lack of setbacks in recoveries, a statement that directly lead to Theo Walcott further injuring his hamstring and Abou Diaby requiring surgery again. We still have Walcott, Podolski and Ox out but Flamini should return from concussion induced absence. As Arseblog noted, he needs one more booking to rule himself out of the Chelsea game midweek. That would ensure his availability for the frankly more important Liverpool encounter a week today so a yellow for the Frenchman, as if it wasn't already, is a given.

I won't predict our line up but Wenger spoke of fatigue in the week so players who have played a lot (Mertesacker, Ozil, Gibbs, etc.) may expect a rest of some description.

A win is a necessity against the weakest team in the league and without wishing to sound over-confident, I anticipate nothing less.

For now.