MX23RW : Wednesday, May 8 07:02:10| >> :600:336206:336206:
May 4, 2019 at 5.30pm UK at ​Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 32,133
CardiffCardiff City
2-3
Crystal Palace
Kelly (31' og.), Reid (90')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Zaha (28'), Batshuayi (39'), Townsend (70')

Roy Hodgson: 'Crystal Palace will not treat Cardiff clash lightly'

Roy Hodgson: 'Crystal Palace will not treat Cardiff clash lightly'
© Reuters
Eagles' rivals Brighton would suffer if they rolled over in south Wales.

Roy Hodgson insists Crystal Palace will not pile the relegation pressure on bitter rivals Brighton by rolling over against Cardiff.

Palace, who secured their top-flight status with a fine victory at Arsenal last month, will send Cardiff back to the Championship if the Bluebirds fail to win, and Brighton beat Arsenal a day later.

Some Palace supporters have suggested they would rather lose at Cardiff on Saturday evening, in order to thwart Brighton's Premier League survival hopes.

But Hodgson, 71, said: "Palace fans don't really believe that. They might say those things, but it is bravado, laddish.

"They will be expecting me to put out the best team that is most capable of winning the game. I know it's exceptionally irritating for teams who are fighting an important battle at the top of the table, or fighting relegation, to find that suddenly they've got a difficult opponent this week, but the team they are fighting against are playing a side that doesn't care, and is virtually handing the game on a plate.

"If you ask me if that's wrong and we shouldn't be doing that, then I would agree one hundred per cent. I don't think any of us should be disrespectful of the importance of a Premier League fixture."

Hodgson, meanwhile, says it is unclear whether he will retain the services of Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi next season. The 25-year-old has scored three times in 11 appearances since moving to Palace on a loan deal in January.

Hodgson will sit down with the club's chairman Steve Parish to discuss their transfer options at the end of the campaign.

"We will have a meeting and until such time I have got no idea what finances and funds will be available," said Hodgson.

"Batshuayi is a Chelsea player, so as far as I am concerned it will have to be a question as much for Chelsea as us. We can't just presume that he is available."

Hodgson will be without Christian Benteke for the trip to south Wales. The forward, who has scored just once this season, did not train this week after injuring his cheekbone in a clash with Everton defender Michael Keane.

Hodgson added: "It's very unfortunate that having found his feet he picks up this nasty knock. Hopefully next season he can put the injuries behind him, and display some of the football that we'll be expecting him to show."


Click here for more stories about Roy Hodgson

Click here for more stories about Crystal Palace

Share this article now:
Crystal Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka pictured in November 2018
Read Next:
Roy Hodgson sure Aaron Wan-Bissaka will stay despite United links
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37312491226995
2Liverpool37297187226594
3Chelsea37218863392471
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs372311365372870
5Arsenal372071070502067
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd37199965521366
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37169124744357
8Everton37158145244853
9Leicester CityLeicester37156165148351
10Watford37148155155-450
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham37147164854-649
12Crystal Palace37137174650-446
13Bournemouth37136185365-1245
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle37119173848-1042
15Burnley37117194465-2140
16Southampton37911174464-2038
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3799193456-2236
RCardiff CityCardiff3794243269-3731
RFulham3775253477-4326
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3736282175-5415

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account