These are two sides who were tipped to struggle by the bookies and judging by the start both have had, those predictions seem spot on at the moment. With such a small budget, Scunthorpe are always viewed as relegation candidates while Crystal Palace’s off the field problems means that they probably won’t have the easiest season either. With that, both sides will be viewing this as a must win game.
Scunthorpe lost several key players in the summer and due to that, many saw them as certainties for relegation. However, the Iron surprised everyone with a 2-1 opening day victory over Reading and that gave everyone at the club confidence that this might not be the season of disaster that everyone else is predicting. However, since then things haven’t been quite as successful and the club have lost both of their other league games. However, on the plus side, Nigel Adkins’ men appear to have launched something of a cup run and a 4-2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday a few days ago will have done nothing but good for their confidence. What’s more, new signing Chris Dagnall managed to bag two in that game and with Dagnall seemingly being the direct replacement for the recently departed Gary Hooper, Adkins will be hoping that the former Rochdale man can follow in Hooper’s footsteps.
It’s certainly been a strange old summer for Crystal Palace and while at one point they were faced with the threat of extinction, now they have turned to signing players who have played right at the very top. Dutch legend Edgar Davids joined the club on a pay-as-you-play deal last week and while the former Juventus man hasn’t played much football in the past two years, he will still be a vital man for the Eagles this season. Strangely, while the Selhurst Park outfit appear to be in a position to sign such established players, they have let one of their seemingly better ones go after Alan Lee joined Huddersfield this week. Lee had already notched two goals this season and the decision to let him join the Terriers certainly seems bizarre. Since their opening day victory over Leicester, George Burley’s men have lost their other two league games and because of that, this fixture against Scunthorpe is even more important.
It’s mixed news on the team news front for the home side although to start with, Nigel Adkins will welcome back Rob Jones, Martyn Woolford and David Mirfin who have all been on the treatment table. However, Garry Thomson will miss out, as will Jim McNulty who is struggling with an ankle problem. The visitors on the other hand will be without forward Wilfried Zala who sits out through suspension. Darren Ambrose is expected to shake off a knock and be passed fit though, while Claude Davis could return after serving a ban.
Crystal Palace may have been boosted with Edgar Davids’ arrival, but we think Scunthorpe will get the points in this one. The Iron will have been given a huge confidence boost following their comprehensive victory over Sheffield Wednesday midweek and we think this can inspire them to victory here. 2-1 Scunthorpe.
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