Statistical Betting Preview: Crystal Palace vs Cardiff

A fantastic win over West Ham handed Tony Pulis a victory in his first home game in charge of the Eagles, and they host a Cardiff side who secured a solid 0-0 draw away at Stoke on Wednesday.

Damien Delaney is a critical member of the Crystal Palace defence, and he produced an imperious performance to prevent the Hammers from scoring on Tuesday. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index demonstrates that he made 20 defensive contributions (based on blocks, clearances, interceptions and tackles won). This was the fourth most in the league.   

Crystal Palace will have been boosted by the news that Mile Jedinak has signed a new deal with the club, extending his stay until 2017. The Australian has been an inspirational skipper for the Eagles this term as he and Dean Moxey are the only outfield players to have featured in every minute for Palace. Looking at the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index this week, it isn’t hard to see why they have become such key components in the Palace team. The duo won every single challenge that they attempted on Tuesday.  

Marouane Chamakh scored the winner on Wednesday night, a goal which sent Selhurst Park into ecstasy. It was only his second goal for the Eagles, but interestingly, these two goals have come from only 4 shots. This is an incredibly impressive shots to goal ratio, and suggests that the Moroccan should back himself more in front of goal! Chamakh is 3/1 with 888sport.com to score at any time on Saturday. 

Jose Campana is a player that Palace have high hopes for, having featured for Spain at all age groups from U16 upwards. He’s only figured in 6 games for Palace this term, but he’s demonstrated his excellent passing ability in this short space of time. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, Campana has completed a pass in the opposition half at an impressive rate of a pass every 3.8 minutes. 

Cardiff travelled to Stoke on Wednesday night, and unsurprisingly given the fixture’s history, drew 0-0 in a far from classic encounter. It was the fifth occasion that the teams have met in the top flight, and every time they have played out goalless draws.

Pundits are starting to run out of superlatives to describe Steven Caulker’s performances this term, as he has produced top quality performances time and time again. He was impressive on Wednesday, making a total of 20 clearances – the most in the league.

Peter Whittingham has become a stalwart for Cardiff since his arrival from Aston Villa six years ago, registering nearly 300 appearances. Looking at his performances so far this season, it isn’t hard to see why he’s such a critical member of the Cardiff team. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index demonstrates that he has completed a pass in the opposition half at an impressive rate of a pass every 4.2 minutes. Whittingham is 4/1 with 888sport.com to score at any time on Saturday.

Whittingham is also one of only 3 players in the Cardiff team to have made 4 goalscoring contributions this season (based on goals and assists). He tops the EA SPORTS Player Performance table, alongside Jordan Mutch and Frazier Campbell. 

David Marshall’s quest to establish himself as Scotland’s number one will have been done no harm by his impressive performances so far this term. No other ‘keeper in the league has made as many saves as Marshall’s 58.