Crystal Palace primed to thrive away from home and spoil the Sheffield Utd party at Bramall Lane

Counter attack | Townsend and Zaha will look to capitalise on United’s attack-minded defence
Harry Trump/Getty Images

Home comforts have been in short supply for Crystal Palace over the past year or so, but on the road they are free from the shackles of expectation.

The opening day point against an Everton with desires to disrupt the top six this season is no shoddy result, but the performance was lacklustre at times. Not too long ago, even in the early months of Roy Hodgson's tenure, Selhurst Park was an uncomfortable trip for visiting sides. Palace were one of just two sides to prevent record-breaking champions Manchester City from scoring that season as an 18-game winning run was brought to an end in south London.

Things have changed a little, however. The home pressures look to take their toll, Palace look uncomfortable when being asked to dominate games and break down opponents who set out to frustrate.

But when Hodgson's side travel they are a different beast, and this week's trip north to Sheffield United provides a fine chance to get their season well and truly going. Bramall Lane will be rocking as it welcomes Premier League football for the first time since May 2007, but Palace have been promotion party-poopers before.

A look back to their first away game of last season and there is quite the confidence boost for Hodgson. The Eagles opened their Premier League campaign at newly promoted Fulham. A side hell-bent on making their attacking football work in the top flight.

Palace allowed them to play, set the trap and pounced.

In Pictures | Fulham vs Crystal Palace | 11/08/2018

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Goals from Jeffrey Schlupp and Wilfried Zaha left a naive Fulham with their fingers burned and a similar plan should work well against Chris Wilder's United this weekend.

The Blades boss has changed the face of the club. Gone are the Neil Warnock days of long ball football, Sheffield United are an innovative side with their overlapping centre backs winning many new fans.

Wilder, who was named LMA Manager of the Year after winning promotion last season, wants to stay true to his philosophy, and rightly so. But there will be changes in order to adapt to the Premier League, they were certainly more conservative in their opening day draw at Bournemouth, but the attacking intent remains.

If we sit on the edge of our box we’ll get killed. You’re not getting any points if you don’t score goals, Wilder told the Telegraph earlier this month.

"You can’t go gung-ho but I don’t want to change our mentality. We’ve got to stick to what we know, trust it and tighten ourselves up in certain situations. We’ve got to win games. Our acquisitions have mostly been at the top of the pitch.

We have earned the right to be here. When the door opens you have to step through it. Be competitive and see how it rocks up."

That will be music to Hodgson's ears. Palace are most comfortable when soaking up pressure, silencing the celebrating crowd as Zaha and Andros Townsend linger ready to break. Missing Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins will still make things a little tougher at the back, but away from the expectation of those in south London, Crystal Palace can come alive.

Jack Rosser will be at Bramall Lane on Sunday, and you can follow the match LIVE on Standard Sport.

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