Crystal Palace and Liverpool head into Monday night's Premier League fixture with wins under their belts following a positive opening weekend for both clubs.
The Eagles can have an air of confidence given that they have earned some scalps against the Reds in the past, but Jurgen Klopp's side have a title challenge in their sights, and Palace are the next obstacle in their way.
Crystal Palace
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The summer window was a positive but nervous one for the London club as in the background there was always a fear that star player Wilfried Zaha would be snapped up.
The talented winger was linked with numerous big-name clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, but Palace answered the fans' prayers earlier this week by making a huge announcement.
Zaha refused to be lured away by the bright lights and ended up signing a new five-year contract, which ties him down to Selhurst Park until the summer of 2023.
The contract news will surely give the team a huge boost in what has already been a positive start to the season following the opening weekend of action.
Roy Hodgson's side earned a 2-0 victory over newly-promoted team Fulham, with Jeffrey Schlupp and Zaha getting on the scoresheet.
The Eagles did not dominate the ball as they had less possession (33.6%) than their competitors at Craven Cottage, and they also created fewer shots (12) than Fulham, who mustered 15 in total.
The result was the most important thing for Palace, but they will have to take their game up a notch if they want to defeat a rampant Liverpool, who are also hunting for back-to-back wins.
Hodgson's side have a decent run of fixtures after the Reds clash as they take on Watford, Swansea City and Southampton, so losing would not be hugely detrimental, but it is their first home fixture of the season, which gives the team an added incentive.
Recent form: W
Liverpool
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After an impressive summer window, there is added pressure on Liverpool to mount a serious title challenge, and that expectation increased following the opening weekend of the season.
Klopp's men came through a comfortable 4-0 triumph over West Ham United in front of their home fans at Anfield.
The Merseyside outfit had a more patient approach to the game instead of adopting their signature pressing, but it turns out that they did not need to expend much energy as West Ham provided very little threat.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane opened their goal accounts for the season, with the latter netting twice, while Daniel Sturridge rounded off the win with his first touch in the 88th minute.
Liverpool's first real test against top-four contenders will not be until September 15 when they go head to head with Tottenham Hotspur.
Prior to that, Klopp's side have winnable fixtures against Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City, but the Reds have shown in the past that it is against the so-called 'lesser' teams when they can sometimes come unstuck.
If Liverpool want to be regarded as serious challengers to Manchester City's crown then they need to convincingly overcome Palace and the like.
Klopp certainly has the players that can earn a comprehensive triumph over the Eagles, but whether they can cope with an intense and intimidating Palace crowd is a different story.
Recent form: W
Team News
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Monday night could be a historic night for Zaha as he has the chance to become Palace's all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League.
The winger equalled Chris Armstrong's record of 23 when he netted Palace's second goal against Fulham last weekend, but he will surpass the milestone if he finds the back of the net when the Reds come to town.
Max Meyer was an exciting addition in the summer transfer window, and he could make his debut on Monday after missing out against Fulham.
Aside from that, Hodgson is likely to stick with the same team that kicked off Palace's League campaign, and there may not be too many changes from the visitors, either.
The only positions that could be altered are the defence and midfield as Joel Matip is in contention to be fit for the clash, while summer arrival Fabinho should make it into the squad.
However, after Joe Gomez put in a decent showing alongside Virgil van Dijk last weekend, he is likely to remain as part of Liverpool's back four.
Fabinho could also be eased into the team, which means that Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner are likely to sit in the middle of the park with Naby Keita.
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Hennessey; Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt; Milivojevic, McArthur, Schlupp, Townsend; Benteke, Zaha
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Keita, Wijnaldum, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Head To Head
As mentioned, Palace have claimed some decent results against Liverpool in the past, including three victories on the bounce, but in recent history, the Reds have turned it around.
In fact, Liverpool have won four of their last five Premier League matches against the London club, and it gets worse for the home team.
At Selhurst Park, the Eagles have lost their last three league fixtures when the Merseyside outfit visited, but the last time that these two clubs met on a Monday night, it was a positive evening for Palace.
The team came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 in the final 12 minutes of the clash, effectively derailing Liverpool's title bid that season.
We say: Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool
Both clubs have started the season off well, but Liverpool look as though they mean business. The Merseyside outfit finally have a team that can genuinely challenge for the crown, and it is time for them to prove that they can kill off matches. The Selhurst Park crowd will be a test, but Liverpool have enough quality to get the job done.
Danielle Joynson
