Team News

Palace

Off the back of throwing away a win against Brighton midweek, Palace make the long, dreary trip up north to face Middlesbrough in the first game of February. Will a new month herald a new upturn in form? I bloody hope so, because it's getting mighty cold and standing there with little or nothing to cheer (even with a pair of thermal long johns on) is getting tough. Obviously nothing short of serious illness would stop me attending, but a few goals to get the blood circulating round the toes wouldn't go amiss!

Dougie Freedman has a fully fit squad to choose from - aside from Joniesta, who's still nursing his poorly leg - after Paddy McCarthy returns from the suspension he picked up in the semi-final at Cardiff (boo).

Boro

Boro have a few players missing, including striker Scott McDonald who could be out for around two months. Nicky Bailey, Danny Coyne and Merouane Zemmma will join McDonald on the sidelines.

Julio Arca is out through suspension, whilst Marvin Emnes and Barry Robson will face late fitness tests to see if they play a part.

Key Players

Wilfried Zaha The youngster has had a bit of stick recently for not finding the goal often enough, but had a storming game against Brighton and was easily our most creative and offensive player. Another few games like that one ought to silence his critics.

Marvin Emnes We know just how deadly this guy can be from our run ins with Boro earlier in the season - though the Palace defence now has a lot more depth, we'll still have to be on our toes to stop the threat this tricky forward poses. He'll be undergoing a late fitness test to see if he can play, but if he does don't say I didn't warn you!

Prediction

We haven't won a game in the league this year. You'd expect at least a point at Selhurst, but whilst our form away from home has markedly improved from last season, the form we're in will probably see us fail to take all three points this weekend. Having said that, Boro aren't flying as high as they once were after a strong start to the season. There are points up for grabs, but travelling back to South London with them all seems a bit of a stretch...

Boro 0-0 Palace

What do you think the score will be? Let us know! Comment below...