Crystal Palace vs Colchester Predictions

After a tough summer, Crystal Palace must be relieved with their first win of the new Premier League campaign. To win 2-1 at Manchester United must make it even sweeter for Roy Hodgson, who has faced his share of critics since taking just a point from their first two games. Now they have the chance to build on that with this week’s clash against Colchester. The Eagles are going up against League Two opposition in their first cup clash of the campaign, but will they live up to their favourites tag?

Palace were able to bounce back from a mixed start with a great win at United, with that success taking the Eagles into the top 10 at this early stage of the season. The early panic around Wilfried Zaha’s effect on the club has basically disappeared following that win, so things are looking up for the hosts. On top of that, they are now heavy favourites to book a third-round place in the Carabao Cup, with the chance to put on a show in this one.

Colchester have averaged a point per game from their first five matches, which doesn’t exactly mark them out for a shock in this game. They come here with a terrible record in this competition. They won in the first round this season, which is the first time that has happened since 2010. They’ve won just three of their last 17 games in this competition, seeing off the likes of Gillingham, Hereford and Swindon. Stepping up against a Premier League side looks beyond their reach.

The last four EFL Cup games at Selhurst have seen 11 goals scored in total, with just two of those coming before half-time. Meanwhile, of the four goals scored in Palace games this term, just one has come in the first half. Colchester have conceded plenty of goals in this competition, following a string of first-round exits. They’ve conceded 24 goals across their last nine in this competition. On top of that, the Us have seen 24 goals across their last seven games in the Carabao Cup, with 75% of those coming in the second half.

We can see the low scoring hosts taking their time to warm up in this one. Palace could capitalise in the second half, especially given the stature of their opponents. The visitors have conceded 20 times across their last six trips in this competition. We see them struggling as this game progresses, so we’re backing a high scoring second 45 minutes. We’re backing the second half to contain more goals than the first, a bet which seems like great value given the form of these two sides.