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da gbg bet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Crystal Palace welcome Norwich to Selhurst Park this Saturday, where the Eagles will be hoping to preserve their unbeaten start to the season at home.
Roy Hodgson’s men have recorded one win and two draws from their three fixtures in SE25 this term, but the Canaries – with in-form Teemu Pukki up top – proved their top-flight credentials by beating Manchester City recently.
Palace suffered disappointment after conceding a last-gasp equaliser against Wolves last time out, but one aspect of Saturday’s game will be crucial to bouncing back with a good result.
What is the one aspect?
Keeping Pukki quiet. Pretty simple, right?
The Finland international – who has 75 caps for his country – has scored six goals in just six Premier League appearances so far this term, two behind top-scorer Sergio Aguero.
The former Celtic man isn’t blessed with an abundance of pace, but his movement is superb and the timing of his runs is simply fantastic.
Who will be responsible for stopping him?
Both Gary Cahill and Mamadou Sakho will have to be switched on against the 29-year-old, but the latter will be the one needing to keep a closer eye on the red-hot striker.
As you saw in his well-timed run before setting up Todd Cantwell’s goal against City, Pukki loves to make effective movements into the right channel, meaning left-sided centre-back Sakho will be important.
The France international was recently run ragged by Tottenham breaking past him at will, where his lack of pace was exposed to some extent.
Aforesaid, Pukki is by no means rapid, but he does know how to spring a defence and get in behind, which could trouble Sakho given his lack of recovery pace – the £26m defender needs to be aware of where the Finnish forward is at all times.
The former PSG captain is, however, a fine defender, so his battle with the in-form Pukki should prove an enticing – and pivotal – one.