Introduction

Selhurst Park in London is set to host an intriguing Premier League clash between Crystal Palace and Brentford on December 30, 2023. Fans will be eagerly anticipating this matchup as both teams aim to pick up crucial points before the year draws to a close. This game is shaping up to be a significant one in the context of their seasons, with both sides positioned close to each other in the standings and fighting to pull away from the bottom of the table.

Match analysis

A look at the statistics reveals a difficult period for Crystal Palace, having struggled to find wins in their recent outings. Despite being able to score against high-caliber teams such as Chelsea and Manchester City, consistency has been lacking, which is reflected in their 15th place standing and 'LDDLL' form. Defensively, Palace have been vulnerable, conceding multiple goals in several of their last games. Their midfield and defense will need to step up to stem the tide of goals against them.

Brentford's recent performances show a similarly challenging patch, with a string of losses only pierced by a win against Wolves. They sit just above Palace at 14th place, with a form of 'LLLLW'. Inconsistencies at both ends of the pitch have been Brentford's bane, managing to put up a fight in terms of scoring but often falling short on defensive solidity. Brentford’s ability to bounce back from adversity will be tested in their next encounter.

Recent form

Crystal Palace's recent form has been rocky at best. Their inability to secure victories is concerning, especially given they have only won one out of their last ten matches. A win percentage of just 10% illustrates their struggles, and a win or a draw appears tough to come by, sitting at 20% and 30% respectively. On the offensive end, they have scored in 70% of their last ten games but have also conceded in 80%, indicating that their matches are often high-scoring affairs.

Brentford's recent form isn't much better, with only one win in their last ten games, equating to a 10% win rate. They have drawn and lost the same number of times, with their draw percentage at 20% and loss percentage at a concerning 70%. Brentford has seen scoring in 60% of their outings and have had their defenses breached in the same percentage of matches, pointing towards a trend in conceding goals which could be exploited by their opponents.

Head to head

• Recent head to head clashes between Crystal Palace and Brentford have trended towards draws, with the last five meetings ending all square.
• Both teams have found it difficult to dominate the other, with none managing to secure a victory in their recent encounters.
• Goal scoring has been at a premium in these fixtures, with four of the last five ending with less than 2.5 goals.
• Crystal Palace wins: 0%
• Brentford wins: 0%
• Draws: 100%

Prediction

Given both teams’ forms and the historical context of their recent head-to-head matchups, this encounter is likely to be tightly contested. Both teams have displayed weaknesses in defense, suggesting there could be goals on the day; hence, an 'Over 2.5 goals' bet might be worth considering.

However, with the propensity for draws in their encounters, another stalemate cannot be discounted. Both teams are desperate for points, but their inability to outplay each other historically might lead to a sharing of the spoils once more.

For aficionados of Asian handicaps, a small hedge towards Brentford (+0.5) might be prudent, considering Crystal Palace's recent inability to secure a win. As for the full-time score, given the pattern of draws and the teams' mirrored struggles, a 1-1 draw could be the most likely outcome.

Betting Tip: Over 2.5 Goals
Full Time Score: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brentford