Crystal Palace face rivals Brighton and Hove Albion this evening with the sides separated by just a three-point margin. Though the two clubs are only four places away from one another in the Premier League table, there is a vast difference in the style of each team. For Roy Hodgson to ensure the Eagles remain above the Seagulls, he must opt to start Christian Benteke in place of Jordan Ayew.
While Benteke’s recent scoring record is feeble, finding the back of the net just once last season, his hold up play will be integral to bypassing the visitor’s press. The Belgian striker can act as an out-ball for the hosts who will likely be starved of possession against Graham Potter’s side. His flick on’s can release Wilfred Zaha and Andros Townsend either side of him, facilitating lightning-fast counter-attacks against the opposition.
There is simply no other way Palace can get past their rivals, who, despite being below them in the Premier League table, have averaged the sixth-highest possession in the English top-flight this season. Meanwhile, Palace have had the third-lowest share of the ball, and they are used to dropping back into a compact defensive shape and springing attacks on their opponents when the opportunity presents itself.
While Jordan Ayew has had one of his most impressive Premier League campaigns to date, with regards to goal scoring, the Ghanaian does not have Benteke’s aerial or physical prowess. Ayew could be left in a situation where he is overpowered by Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster and unable to affect the match. Therefore, Hodgson’s best option to release both of his wingers is to introduce the Belgian from the start, purely for his ability to bring his teammates into the match.
If Hodgson was to start the same side he did against Watford, with Ayew up top, then he risks repeating that goalless result, or possibly worse. Benteke is not likely to offer much of a goal threat, but if he can draw attention away from Zaha and Townsend Palace will create chances.
