Team News

Palace

The first clash of the season between the Eagles and our most geographically co-terminus of rivals - that oafish Millwall lot - comes off the back of a poor run by Palace that has seen us fail to score a single goal in over 360 minutes of football. Millwall on the other hand have won three of their last five matches (including beating the Foxes 3-0 at their gaff) but have lost their last two.

Palace will be desperate to get one over on Millwall who beat us twice last season - the 3-0 thrashing at the New Den being the straw that broke George Burley's back. So perhaps in some ways we owe them our gratitude.

We might - might - get to see Owen Garvan play for us again this decade as he's "now in a position to return to the squad". However the same can't be said of Lee Hills and Alex Marrow who, if they were prize race horses, would've quietly had a curtain erected around them on the training pitch and shot. Joniesta is also still missing with his broken leg and won't return for a few months yet.

New loan signing Dekel Keinan (Cardiff) is available to play should the need arise, though Dougie's comments during the week suggest he is mere 'cover' for the central of defence.

Millwall

It's looking likely that Millwall's reserve 'keeper, Steve Mildenhall, will replace regular David Forde after the later limped his way off of the pitch in the Lions' recent fixture against Bristol City - which they lost 2-1.

Nathan Baker and Shane Lowry of Aston Villa will be available for for the visitors after signing on loan.

Key Players

Julian Speroni Despite conceding three goals against Leicester, Speroni was on top form. He saved us from a far more humiliating score-line. We'll need his mad-skillz between the sticks again this Saturday and I'm sure the Argentine will duly deliver.

Darius Henderson A veteran at 30 compared with most of the Palace squad. Henderson has scored eight goals in 13 starts this season for the Lions. Which, with my mathematicians caps on, makes that one goal in 0.6153846153... games (okay, so I used a calculator). The Palace defence have let in five goals over the last few games and need to be wary.

Match Stats & Facts

Provided by @PalaceStats

Coming soon....

Prediction

I'm in the mood for pessimism at the moment. Optimism can only carry you so far, and a recent divine intervention invoking Sod's law surrounding the club is leading me to predict my first Palace loss of the season. I don't want to do it, but that's the way the winds are blowing...

Palace 0-2 Millwall

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