Life has been pretty good for Crystal Palace and Alan Pardew since the two got together in January. They have won five of seven games in all competitions, losing just once. It’s a run which has propelled them up the table and given them a five point cushion in the battle to stay in the Premier League, but their most impressive result was the 3-2 success away to Southampton in the fourth round. They went behind twice in that game and it was another indication of the resilience that Pardew has instilled since arriving at Selhurst Park.
Liverpool will be looking at this competition and thinking it is a very realistic opportunity for some success this season with the likes of Chelsea, Man City and Spurs all knocked out in the previous round. They will also be hoping to make up for an agonising semi-final exit In the League Cup. They have already had a slight scare in this year’s FA Cup as their previous tie, against Bolton, went to replay after a goalless draw at Anfield. They went behind in the return match only for recover late on and book their place in this round. Brendan Rodgers will be hoping that they enjoy their visit to Palace a little more than their last two where they have taken only one point.
Pardew has not enjoyed a huge amount of success in this competition with his previous club but he did reach the FA Cup final with West Ham in 2006. Now that they have a bit of a gap between themselves and the bottom three, and with their impressive win in the last round, he may think that they can target it a bit more than they might have done if things hadn’t of gone so well since he took over. The fact it’s a home time should only add to that motivation.
The loss to Palace in November was a real low point in the season for Liverpool. Although they opened the scoring that day they capitulated later in the game and pressured was heaped on to Rodgers and his players. They have responded well in the main since then and will be determined to avenge that defeat. Of course, they also have a score to settle from last season when Palace all but ended their title hopes by coming back from 3-0 down to rescue a draw.
Whatever the result there will be one less Premier League side in the draw for the last eight. Liverpool come into the match as favourites but Palace are in very good form at the moment. I think it promises to be an entertaining game but the away side are looking better every week and they are my pick to advance to the quarter finals.
Liverpool 11/10 @ William Hill
