Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa: Overturning the Head-to-Head Record

The 14th-placed team meets the 3rd-placed team. There's an 11-place difference in the standings. But numbers don't tell the whole story in this match. Palace is unbeaten in 6 games against Villa with 5 wins and 1 draw. Can Villa break the curse of this head-to-head record on January 7th at Selhurst Park?

Crystal Palace (14th)

• ●Season Record: 7 wins, 6 draws, 7 losses (20 games) / Goal Difference: -1
• ●Goals Scored: 22 goals / Goals Conceded: 23 goals
• ●Recent 6 Games: 0 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses (7 games without a win!)
• ●Average Goals Scored: 0.83 goals / Average Goals Conceded: 1.83 goals
• ●Recent 3 Home Games: 0 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss
• ●Home Average Goals Scored: 1 goal / Home Average Goals Conceded: 1.33 goals
• ●Home Possession: 52.67%
• ●Recent 8 Games: 88% Winless
• ●Recent 30 Home Games: 80% Undefeated
• ●But Recent 10 Home League Games: 80% Winless
• ●Recent 6 PL Games: 83% Winless

Palace is having a tough time. They are on a 7-game winless streak. They are only scoring 0.83 goals per game while conceding 1.83 goals. They remained undefeated in 80% of their last 30 home games, but they are winless in 80% of their last 10 games. They just can't win. Draws account for 50% of their results.

Aston Villa (3rd)

• ●Season Record: 13 wins, 3 draws (20 games) / Goal Difference: +9
• ●Recent 6 Games: 5 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss
• ●Average Goals Scored: 2.17 goals
• ●Recent 6 Away Games: 83% Undefeated
• ●Recent 20 Games: 17 wins (85%!)
• ●Recent 30 Games: 80% Undefeated

Villa is flying high. They have 17 wins in 20 games. The 85% statistic is impressive. They are also good in attack, scoring 2.17 goals per game. They are undefeated in 83% of their last 6 away games. They are showing consistent performance, befitting a team in 3rd place in the league.

Looking at the recent 6 games:

• ●Palace: 5 wins, 1 draw (Undefeated!)
• ●Villa: 0 wins

It's an amazing record. Palace is unbeaten in 6 consecutive games against Villa. They even managed 5 wins. Villa's perspective is a nightmare. But looking at their current form, Villa is far ahead.

Palace's Home Resistance

Oliver Glasner will have a lot to think about. Because they're on a 7-game winless streak. They are likely to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Mateta will be the lone striker, with Pino and Deveni supporting him from behind. Wharton and Hughes will be responsible for the midfield, and Guehi and Lacroix will protect the defense.

It's hopeful that they are unbeaten in 6 consecutive games against Villa. Their head-to-head record is really good. But it's not easy for a team that only scores 0.83 goals per game to face a team that scores 2.17 goals per game.

It's a shame that Munoz and Sarr are missing. Their options on the flanks are limited.

Villa's Away Attack

Unai Emery's Villa is strong anywhere. They are likely to play offensively in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Watkins will be the lone striker, with Buendia, Rogers, and Sancho moving on the flanks and in the center. McGinn and Tielemans will be responsible for the midfield, and Konsa and Lindelof will protect the defense.

They are undefeated in 83% of their last 6 away games. Their attack is also good, scoring 2.17 goals per game. They can definitely break through Palace's defense, which concedes 1.83 goals per game.

It's a shame that Onana and Barkley are missing, but they can maintain their core lineup.

1. Head-to-Head Record vs Current Form

This is the key. Palace is unbeaten in 6 consecutive games against Villa, but they are currently on a 7-game winless streak. Villa has 17 wins in 20 games. Can the past head-to-head record beat the current form?

2. Palace's Goal Drought

Palace is only scoring 0.83 goals per game. It's even harder because Villa's defense is solid. Mateta and Pino need to seize their opportunities, but there won't be many chances.

3. Watkins vs Palace Defense

Watkins is the core of Villa's attack. Guehi and Lacroix need to stop Watkins, but it doesn't seem easy because Palace concedes 1.83 goals per game.

Palace Home Trends

• ●Recent 7 Games: Winless
• ●Recent 8 Games: 88% Winless
• ●Recent 6 Games: 50% Draws
• ●Recent 10 Home League Games: 80% Winless
• ●Recent 30 Home Games: 80% Undefeated
• ●vs Villa Recent 6 Games: 5 wins, 1 draw (Undefeated!)

Villa Trends

• ●Recent 6 Games: 5 wins, 1 loss
• ●Recent 20 Games: 85% Win Rate (17 wins)
• ●Recent 30 Games: 80% Undefeated
• ●Recent 6 Away Games: 83% Undefeated
• ●Average Goals Scored: 2.17 goals

The numbers point to Villa. The result is obvious when a team with 17 wins in 20 games meets a team on a 7-game winless streak. But Palace's 6-game unbeaten streak against their opponent cannot be ignored.

Crystal Palace Absences

• ●Kporha (back), Munoz (knee), Sarr (national team duty)

Aston Villa Absences

• ●Guessand (national team duty), Barkley (knee), Onana (hamstring)

Both teams are missing key players. Palace's attacking power on the flanks is limited due to the absence of Munoz and Sarr, and Villa's midfield control has weakened due to the absence of Onana.

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1)

• ●GK: Henderson
• ●DF: Lacroix, Guehi, Lerma
• ●MF: Clyne, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell
• ●CAM: Deveni, Pino
• ●FW: Mateta

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)

• ●GK: Emiliano Martinez
• ●DF: Cash, Lindelof, Konsa, Mæhle
• ●MF: McGinn, Tielemans, Buendia, Rogers, Sancho
• ●FW: Watkins

Predicted Score: Crystal Palace 1-2 Aston Villa

Villa to win. Probability is 50%.

Villa is likely to score the first goal in the first half. Watkins or Sancho will break through Palace's defense. But Palace also has a good head-to-head record, so they can score one goal. Mateta can score the equalizer on the counter-attack.

The most realistic scenario is that Villa will score an additional goal in the second half and the game will end 2-1. It seems like Villa can break the curse of their head-to-head record. The difference in current form is too big.

There is also a possibility of Over 2.5 goals. Palace concedes 1.83 goals per game, and Villa scores 2.17 goals per game. It will be a fun game with goals being scored.

For Villa fans, it's a good opportunity to break the head-to-head curse. Palace is on a 7-game winless streak. For Palace fans, Villa is their only hope. It's worth trying based on the head-to-head record.

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