New signings Eze and Batshuayi on bench for Palace opener against Saints

Neither of Crystal Palace’s new forward signings make Roy Hodgson’s opening day starting line-up, with both Michy Batshuayi – on loan from Chelsea, and Eberechi Eze – signed from Queens Park Rangers, on the bench.

Palace face a Southampton side who impressed under boss Ralph Hasenhuttl last season – finishing in 11th, nine points and three places above 14th placed Palace.

Hodgson will set-up the Eagles in a 4-4-2 formation this afternoon, with Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew leading the forward line.

Jeffrey Schlupp and Andros Townsend will provide the width, with James McCarthy partnering James McArthur in the middle.

Luka Milivojević, is on the bench after missing pre-season fixtures against Oxford United, Charlton Athletic and Millwall.

T

yrick Mitchell deputises for Patrick van Aanholt at left-back, with Scott Dann, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Joel Ward and Vicente Guaita making up the defensive unit.

Crystal Palace: Guaita, Ward, Kouyaté, Dann, Mitchell, Townsend, McCarthy, McArthur, Schlupp, Ayew, Zaha

Substitutes: Hennessey, Kelly, Woods, Milivojević, Eze, Meyer, Batshuyai