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Crystal Palace host bitter rivals Brighton at Selhurst Park on Saturday in what promises to be a fantastic contest which both sides will fancy their chances of winning. The Eagles, though, can make their lives a lot easier by giving Jeffrey Schlupp one simple instruction that he should be able to execute pretty comfortably.
On the chalkboard
For the teams who cannot afford to throw millions at the transfer market in order to get the cream of the crop through the door and play sublime football, getting the ball out to the wings and then into the box is a surefire way to cause those aforementioned big spenders problems and thereby level the playing field.
Brighton know this and are keen to do so if their attack areas are anything to go by – WhoScored states that just 22% of the Seagulls’ attacks are down the middle, making them one of the most wing-reliant teams in the league.
Luckily for Palace, they have Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back and it will always take something special to get the better of the number 29; the same cannot be said for Patrick van Aanholt on the opposite flank.
Schlupp for it
While van Aanholt’s attacking prowess makes him a threat going forward, he can be caught out in defence sometimes and no doubt their opposition at the weekend will look to take advantage.
Schlupp’s big role to play, then, is to offer his former competition at left-back ample protection when Brighton look to hit them down the wing. The Ghanaian has been reaping the rewards of his new position in central midfield although he may be forced to return to his wide berth once again if Palace want to focus on Brighton’s attacking qualities instead.
Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…
Roy Hodgson may want the 26-year-old in the side for his recently-acquired eye for goal but his defensive work will be essential on Saturday – it is equally important for Palace to not lose this game as to win it and they can avoid the former by helping each other out at the back as best as possible.