"The Swans have only scored two goals in their last four games."
Crystal Palace
Sam Allardyce has yet to taste victory since becoming the new Crystal Palace manager, but there are some signs of improvement as he prepares for his first home match at Selhurst Park.
Palace really should have won at Watford before eventually allowing the Hornets to grab an equaliser, while the away match at Arsenal on New Year's Day was not a particularly realistic opportunity for a struggling side to claim points.
With just one win from their last 13 Premier League games, Palace need Allardyce to work his magic and turn their form around, just as he did at Sunderland last season. While Big Sam is probably the best manager that Palace could have turned to in their predicament, this represents a great opportunity for Allardyce also.
Coming so soon after his brief spell with England ended in self-inflicted ignominy, Allardyce has inherited an underperforming squad that has far more talent and depth than the one he worked with at Sunderland. That's evidenced by the names currently unavailable to Allardyce through injury, with the likes of Joe Ledley, Steve Mandanda, James McArthur, Loic Remy, Bakery Sako, Pape Soare and Connor Wickham all currently out.
Swansea
Palace might have found themselves a manager whose reputation suggests that he will lead them to safety, but Swansea are currently looking for their second new boss this season.
The decision to replace Francesco Guidolin with Bob Bradley looked a strange one back in October and an even weirder one when the American was sacked before the year was out, after just eleven games in charge. It points to a lack of forward planning by Swansea's owners, which is strange for a club that built it's rise to the Premier League on stable foundations.
The likely appointment of Paul Clement as Bradley's successor hopefully points towards Swansea looking towards long-term goals, rather than merely avoiding relegation each season. Highly regarded as a coach, Clement has worked as Carlo Ancelotti's assistant at Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. His one managerial role at Derby ended in the sack earlier this year, but considering that they were fifth in the Championship at the time, it says more about the club's rash decision making than Clement's ability.
At the time of writing it's unsure as to whether Clement will be installed in time to take charge at Palace, or whether Alan Curtis will remain in temporary control. Whoever is picking the team will be without the suspended Jordi Amat, while Jefferson Montego is out injured. Fernando Llorente is also a doubt having picked up an ankle injury in the defeat to Bournemouth, which Wayne Routledge missed due to illness.
Swansea have not won away from home since their opening day victory over Burnley and with the Selhurst Park crowd likely to provide an electric atmosphere, the price for Allardyce picking up his first win, looks good value.
This market could scarcely be more evenly poised, with under 2.5 goals the narrow favourite at 1.98 and overs at 1.99.
The last time these two sides met the game ended 5-4 to Swansea, but the first job on Allardyce's agenda will be to repair Palace's leaky defence. It looks like he's already on the right path, with the two away games since his arrival both seeing under 2.5 goals.
Yet a better value bet could be for Palace to keep their first Clean Sheet under Alladryce at 2.50. The Swans have only scored two goals in their last four games.
Christian Benteke looks tailor-made for Allardyce and if given the service could cause problems for Swansea.
Benteke has started well at Palace, despite the team's problems - scoring eight in 16 Premier League games. One of them came in the corresponding fixture at Swansea and you can back him to find the net again at 2.30.
Recommended Bets
Back Crystal Palace to win at 1.85
Back Crystal Palace to keep a clean sheet at 2.50
Back Benteke to score at 2.30
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