Predicting Crystal Palace's Final Premier League Points Tally
By Jake Purvis
Crystal Palace have become part of the Premier League furniture since they returned to the top flight in 2013, with an average league finish of 12th. Last term was Palace's most successful in recent times as they picked up their highest ever points total with 49.
This year is not that different. Palace sit in 11th place with 39 points after 28 games but they could finally push on from the comfortable surroundings of the Premier League middle-ground into the top half with some positive results.
Roy Hodgson's Eagles were nine points and three league places worse off after week 28 last season than they are this term, representing small but steady progress from the south London club.
Palace's fixture list until the end of the season is arguably one of the toughest of all 20 teams, so let's see how they could fare between now and the end of the season.
Matchday 30 - AFC Bournemouth (Away)
Date: Saturday 20 June
Time: 19:45 BST
Channel (UK): BBC
Palace have a three match winning run they'll be looking to build on when they go to relegation-threatened Bournemouth. The two sides met in December when Palace ran out 1-0 winners, with Jeffrey Schlupp's late goal sending the ten-man Eagles into fifth place.
The two clubs' recent form couldn't be any different and neither side is going to break the mould in this game. Having said that, Palace are not going to be given the win. The Cherries are fighting for their Premier League lives and a home win against a mid-table side would go a long way.
Bournemouth will get their shot at revenge here and will put up a tough fight for Palace. However, Palace will not lie down and should be marginal favourites here.
Verdict: Win
Total Points Tally: 42 points
Matchday 31 - Liverpool (Away)
Date: Wednesday 24 June
Time: 20:15 BST
Channel (UK): Sky Sports
Palace's first away trip of the restart is a tough ask of the tallest order. By late June, Liverpool will have already won the Premier League or be extremely close to sealing their triumph. Palace have always been a bogey team for the Reds, but with the game being at Anfield, it might be too tough an ask for the Londoners.
The 2-1 loss Palace endured at home in November was somewhat undeserved and showed how hard a place Selhurst Park can be to visit. Anfield is in a league of its own though and Palace's backs will be against the wall from the very start.
If Liverpool have sealed the title before this game, that might give Palace a competitive edge, but Jurgen Klopp's side will likely be too strong regardless
Verdict: Loss
Total Points Tally: 42 points
Matchday 32 - Burnley (Home)
Date: Monday 29 June
Time: 20:00 BST
Channel (UK): Amazon
Burnley and Palace have been in and around mid-table for the majority of the season, so this match is vital for both sides. Palace nicked a cagey 2-0 win up at Turf Moor earlier this season, in what was their first in six games, moving them level on points with the Clarets.
Hodgson will want a performance that mirrors the reverse fixture but Sean Dyche and Burnley never make games easy for their opponents. An even affair ending in a draw seems likely.
Verdict: Draw
Total Points Tally: 43 points
Matchday 33 - Leicester City (Away)
The Eagles make the trip to high-flying Leicester in July in what is another tough ask for Hodgson's men. The Foxes rocked up to south London back in November and let their attacking prowess do the talking, as Caglar Soyuncu's first goal for the club and a typical Jamie Vardy strike saw them take all three points.
Leicester will be looking to seal their Champions League spot for the 2020/21 season and, along with the talent and depth in their squad, they'll have too much for Palace to handle.
Verdict: Loss
Total Points Tally: 43 points
Matchday 34 - Chelsea (Home)
Selhurst Park welcomes London rivals Chelsea next, with the Blues chasing the Champions League places. Chelsea are going through a transitional period and have brought in Hakim Ziyech from Ajax for next season, with RB Leipzig's Timo Werner close to signing. Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz and Leicester's Ben Chilwell are also targets for Frank Lampard's side.
Even without those confirmed or potential incomings, Chelsea's attacking prowess may be too much for Palace to handle. When Chelsea ran out 2-0 winners at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, their youth prospects overwhelmed Palace and it could be the same the second time around.
Verdict: Loss
Total Points Tally: 43 points
Matchday 35 - Aston Villa (Away)
The reverse fixture back in August was a cagey affair but Palace managed a 1-0 win over ten-men Villa thanks to Jordan Ayew's beautiful finish. This will be another tight affair, with Villa fighting for their lives towards the bottom of the table.
A packed Villa Park could have swung the game in the home team's advantage but unfortunately no fans will be in attendance. Palace could condemn the Villains to Championship football next season with a win here and that could be a prime motivator for the Eagles.
Verdict: Win
Total Points Tally: 46 points
Matchday 36 - Manchester United (Home)
It's hard to tell where United will be at this stage in the season. They could have secured a Champions League spot or be battling it out for a Europa League place. Either way, the Red Devils will be out for revenge against Palace after Patrick van Aanholt netted a 93rd minute winner to record their first win at Old Trafford since 1989 earlier this campaign.
United haven't lost at Selhurst Park since 1991 and that record isn't going to change this year. It could be a tight affair but United have the manpower to overcome Palace's charge.
Verdict: Loss
Total Points Tally: 46 points
Matchday 37 - Wolverhampton Wanderers (Away)
Crystal Palace's final away game and penultimate match of the 2019/20 season takes them to the Midlands. The reverse fixture was the turning point for Wolves' Premier League season as Diego Jota rescued ten-man Wolves a draw with a 95th minute strike.
Since then, Wolves have been on an upward trajectory while Palace have plateaued. The Wanderers should take all three points in this game.
Verdict: Loss
Total Points Tally: 46 points
Matchday 38 - Tottenham (Home)
A London derby to finish the season. Tottenham smashed Palace out of the park with a 4-0 win back in September but this time around there could be little to play for. It could have that real end-of-season feel.
The players will be feeling the effect of a crammed fixture list and it will show, with a tiring draw looking likely.
Verdict: Draw
Total Points Tally: 47 points