Pardew plotting another FA Cup upset of Liverpool for Palace

Crystal Palace have given as good as they’ve got against Liverpool in domestic cup competitions with five victories apiece and four draws. The most notable of those triumphs for the Eagles came a quarter of a century ago when current boss Alan Pardew, then playing in midfield, grabbed the winner.

Coral make Palace 11/4 outsiders to beat Brendan Rodgers’ Reds in FA Cup fifth round action at Selhurst Park, however, despite a strong recent record of three victories in the last five head-to-heads across all competitions.

In spite of poor recent performances against the Eagles, Liverpool start as 21/20 favourites, largely because of their fantastic form of one loss in 15 outings. They have kept clean sheets in just over a third of those matches, however, and are thus better value if punters take advantage of a matchday special of 7/2 for a Reds win with both teams scoring. Please note there is a maximum stake of £20 on this bet.

It’s 11/5 for a draw, and a 3-3 in south London last term helped to cost Rodgers’ team the Premier League title. Here, it would mean an Anfield replay, though.

When it comes to the scorer markets, punters can be confident in choosing Dwight Gayle, who has four goals against Liverpool for Palace in just three career appearances. He is 13/5 in the anytime market to continue being a thorn in the side of Rodgers.

Morocco frontman Marouane Chamakh (also 13/5) and Arsenal loanee Yaya Sanogo (12/5) were preferred by Pardew in attack when the Eagles won at Southampton in the last round but, against a back three which the Reds persist in playing, Gayle is definitely the horse for this particular course.

One big question surrounding Liverpool is the enigma that is Mario Balotelli. Was breaking his Premier League duck the start of a scoring run for the maverick Italian forward? Balotelli is a 21/10 anytime chance to net in back-to-back games here.