Crystal Palace v Leicester City preview: Hodgson set for second debut
No side since Middlesbrough in 2017 had produced a comparable streak, and it eventually contributed to Premier League (PL) relegation for them that year.
But Vieira’s dismissal has opened up the door for the return of the PL’s oldest-ever manager, 75-year-old Roy Hodgson.
With just four points separating the 12th-placed Eagles from the foot of the table, there is no doubt they are embroiled in the relegation battle.
Having never suffered the drop in his prior four-year stint at Palace, Hodgson has publicly called on his players to deliver “energy, enthusiasm, optimism and a lack of fear” in his second Palace managerial debut here against fellow strugglers Leicester City.
Just one point separates the Foxes from the drop zone ahead of this clash but the powers that be at the club have opted to keep manager Brendan Rodgers in place despite the mounting pressure on him throughout the campaign.
Rodgers described their 1-1 draw at Brentford as a “very big point” for the club, but they need more from this game as a failure to claim all three points will open up the opportunity for West Ham or Southampton to leapfrog them on Sunday.
That draw ended Leicester’s third 4+ game losing streak of the league season, but another trip to London could spell trouble as the Foxes have conceded 13 times across their last five PL trips to the capital (W1, D1, L3).
Key man James Maddison could help give his side a boost, especially as the talented midfielder made his first start for England during the international break and earned the plaudits of the national press after his impressive performance at Wembley.
Players to watch: No PL side has failed to score in more games than Palace’s 13 this term, but Wilfried Zaha may ensure that number doesn’t rise further when he faces his joint-favourite opposition (G8 vs Leicester).
Looking to outdo him will be Leicester’s Harvey Barnes who equalled his best-scoring PL season with his ninth goal last time out. He also has five goal contributions in seven H2Hs with Palace (G1, A4).
Hot stat: Rodgers has never tasted defeat in a touchline H2H against a Hodgson-managed side (W6, D1).
