Tonight, Selhurst Park, 8pm, live on Sky Sports 1
SOMETIMES you look at a fixture and all you see are nils. No thrills or spills – just nils.
However, games that promise to be dull on paper can surprise. For example who would have predicted St Mirren 4, St Johnstone 3 – a game that cried out unders – or even Brechin 3, Rangers 4 – with the Ibrox men having not conceded away from home before the weekend.
Palace v Fulham is one of those matches that doesn't entice me to keep 8-10pm free. I don't see many goals but I'm fully aware an early strike, a red card or just change of tact can alter the course of events dramatically.
I tipped Palace for the drop at the start of the season and they aren't letting me down. The only points Ian Holloway's side have amassed in seven games are from the one side sitting below them – Sunderland.
My gut feeling says sell goals and all the stats point towards a low-scoring draw. Palace have failed to keep a clean sheet this season but scored just five while Fulham have netted just once on the road.
The duo have the lowest win percentage in Premier League London derbies (both 21 per cent) so the draw is tempting at 12-5 with McBookie.com and others. Even more likely is a half-time draw that pays 11-10 at bet365 and Ladbrokes in what could be a nervy slow burner.
Attacks are so bad I have to consider no scorer at 19-2 with McBookie.com but 1-1 is also a possibility at a biggest 13-2 with the same firm. Best bet could be to go for under 2.5 goals. That pays no more than 8-11 at Skybet but is the one I'm most confident about.
Three of Fulham's five goals this season have come from subs (Darren Bent and Bryan Ruiz) so even picking a first scorer is tough.
Dimitar Berbatov would normally be a popular pick but opta stats show he's has touched the ball just 17 times in the opposition box this campaign – an average of three times a game on average.
Palace's joint top scorers are the less than prolific Danny Gabbidon and Stuart O'Keefe with two each – and that kind of sums up their fortunes.
If this is a Monday night thriller I'll be surprised – but then life is full of them.
Recommended Bets
1pt under 1.5 goals
(23-10, McBookie.com)
5pts under 2.5 goals
(8-11, Skybet)
1pt no scorer
(19-2, McBookie.com)
2pts HT draw
(11-10, bet365, Ladbrokes)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
It might be one I leave alone in all honesty but I like the way you have added pts to each selection. Wouldn’t be surprised if this was a 0-0 as you say but occasionally, crap teams serve up a thriller because of a pure lack of defensive quality!
Crystal Palace sit in relegation zone in 19th place on 3pts with there opponents Fulham just outside relegation zone in 17th place on 7pts only +1 goal keeps them out off it as Norwich have 7pts and in 18th place,
So although Fulham are clear of Crystal Palace a defeat tonight would see them in danger as Palace would pull themselves closer to safety as up to 14th place on 8pts will be pulled in to this relegation battle ,
Crystal Palace have 5 players sidelined so have a weaker squad to pick from where as Fulham have only 1 player sidelined and have a prolific striker still to find a goal this season in league Berbatov, although his new partner this season has got off the mark in Bent so hopefully in training they’re starting to get to know each others style ,
So for me I see away win as Fulham have the better class of player just waiting to click
Hey mr F where do u get your opta stats from
Fulham have only managed to muster up 12 shots(4 on target) from their opening 3 away games
Crystal Palace Dnb @ 1.80
Paul I don’t envy you having to put up something for this game. I see your point that it could be 0-0 but to be cautious. Holloway will see it as must win and under pressure jol will see it as must not lose. Both teams obviously struggling for goals. I think if Palace score early doors this could really open up. I have just over 12 quid in my skybet account so I’ve put it on a speculative bet of both teams to score both halves at 18 to 1 haha u never know!! Gonna keep my dough for a tasty two nights of champions league footy…..
both teams to score both halves looking good ! kasami take a bow .
Berbatov and Bent starting. Fulham going for it??
BETS FOR TODAY PALACE VS FULHAM
£250 under 2.5 goals @ 4/5
£50 no Goalscorer @ 9/1
£50 1-1 @ 6/1
£50 Fulham 1-0 @ 10/1
£30 Berbatov First Goal @ 6/1 (12/1 first 20 mins)
Good luck everyone will check in later.
You could back FGS Bent,Bernatov,Gayle and Chamakh and make cash provided there are any goals
Yo the big T. Whats the deal with the points? What % of the bank is a point? Keep the tips coming. You are paying the bills for me.
Chris guy
Hope u didn’t bet that big
This always had potential to b a high scorer
Poor defenders
Brian, poor defenders and also before tonight poor attackers. I loved that stat about Berbatov and then of course he goes and scores. At least my Palace to go down antepost is looking safer.