Tuesday 9 August 2016 10:55, UK
As we preview the new Premier League season, we pick out five questions for Crystal Palace.
What have they done in the transfer market?
Alan Pardew has been busily re-shaping his squad this summer. Andros Townsend was the headline arrival in a £13m deal from Newcastle, and Palace have also brought in James Tomkins from West Ham for £10m and experienced goalkeeper Steve Mandanda on a free transfer from Marseille.
Dwight Gayle was sold to Newcastle for £10m, and Palace also released Emmanuel Adebayor and Marouane Chamakh, so a new striker remains a priority. The Eagles have been frustrated in their attempts to sign Christian Benteke from Liverpool, and they are now chasing West Brom's Saido Berahino.
What does the manager say?
"There is no point in getting players who are not potentially better than the ones we have got. Well, then they have got to be good players. So will there be a big name in there? There's going to need to be."
What's the pundit verdict?
Paul Merson says: "Crystal Palace are one of those teams who will win a streak of games and then lose a streak of games. Alan Pardew will win seven on the trot and then lose seven on the trot and he needs to break that. If he can do then there's no reason why they can't get into the top eight."
Crystal Palace are one of those teams who will win a streak of games and then lose a streak of games.
What's your prediction?
Crystal Palace fans will have been encouraged by their summer transfer business so far, but there is plenty of work to do to ensure they avoid another second half of the season collapse. The Eagles are 6/4 with Sky Bet for a top-half finish and 18/1 to finish in the top six. Their odds for relegation, meanwhile, are 6/1.
