Palace Preview: How Eagles’ in-form duo could provide tactical edge v Brentford

PAST MEETINGS

The reverse fixture was a frustrating occasion for the Eagles, as Patrick Vieira experienced Selhurst Park for the first time competitively since taking over as manager. Palace put together a confident performance but couldn’t find a way past David Raya in the Brentford goal, and the in the end the points were shared.

Palace’s last visit to Brentford – albeit to Griffin Park rather than the new Community Stadium – was almost half a century ago: a League Cup first round tie in August, 1977, where the hosts ran out 2-1 winners. The last league meeting in west London was 11 years earlier in 1964.

The Eagles’ last league victory at Brentford was a festive occasion, taking place on Christmas Day in 1957 – they completed the double over the Bees the following day.

PREVIEW

Patrick Vieira did not hide his frustration at coming away from Carrow Road with only a point on Wednesday night, despite Wilfried Zaha’s stunning equaliser lighting up the contest. Palace had 72% possession against Norwich and dominated for much of the game, but were unable to find a crucial second goal.

“I believe at times [there was] a lack of more desire, more belief in ourselves to go and get that goal,” he told Palace TV after the game. “We can say we played some good football, but it’s not enough. We need this little bit more determination and belief in ourselves to get the goal, and I’m frustrated.”

There were positives however, not just in Zaha’s goalscoring return to the side after Africa Cup of Nations duty. Michael Olise continued to demonstrate his attacking threat on the right-hand-side, while Tyrick Mitchell produced a virtuoso defensive performance as he personally intervened to deny two certain goals.

Palace are now unbeaten in three on the road, and face another excursion this weekend – although this one far closer to home.

After their emphatic start to life as a Premier League side last year, Brentford’s recent form has seen them stumble and their momentum stutter. Defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday night made it six consecutive losses in all competitions, including an FA Cup exit to fellow strugglers Everton last weekend.

The two sides now sit separated by two points, with the Bees trailing in the table despite having played a game more; both will be keen for a victory to kick-start a climb towards the top half of the table.

TACTICAL PREVIEW

With Wilfried Zaha’s return and Mitchell’s form, the left-side of Crystal Palace’s attack is developing into a source of real danger for opposition sides up and down the country.

“When I have conversations with him, we don’t even talk about his defensive aspect,” Zaha says. “I just tell him to be more confident going forwards because defensively he’s probably one of the best.”

However, the addition of Michael Olise gives Vieira new opportunities to create goalscoring chances – and the collaboration of Olise and Zaha will be seen as promising. On multiple occasions at Carrow Road, Olise drifted inside from the right and picked out Zaha on the opposite flank.