15 days to Premier League season: Time for Crystal Palace to deliver on all that talent

With 15 days to go until the start of the new Premier League season, Jon Turner takes a look at Crystal Palace's hopes of competing with the big boys.

The National illustration

• More: 2016/17 Premier League fixtures in UAE time

The National's sports team is counting down the days until defending champions Leicester City take on newly promoted Hull City in the opening fixture of the 2016/17 English Premier League season by looking at one team a day. Today, Crystal Palace.

***

At the start of last season, Crystal Palace were considered genuine challengers for a top six place. The London club had recruited well, with the likes of midfielder Yohan Cabaye, striker Connor Wickham, and winger Bakary Sakho added to a squad already boasting the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Wilfried Zaha, and Scott Dann.

It all started so well for Alan Pardew and his team, winning five of their first eight games. However, the turn of the year saw a disastrous run of form when they failed to win in 12 games, losing nine.

Again, Palace appear to be recruiting well. England winger Andros Townsend has been signed from Newcastle United, James Tomkins has arrived from West Ham, and goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has moved from Marseille. If Palace can keep hold of Cabaye and Bolasie, their ambitions should again be towards the upper end of the table. A top eight finish could be realistic.

A lot will depend on Pardew. He often starts strongly at a club but before too long, things get stale, results suffer, and he has always struggled to arrest slumps. If he can keep Palace flying and can ride through any setbacks, this could be a good season for the Selhurst Park faithful.

***

Previously

• Hull City: Promoted club had unstable summer

• Middlesbrough: Hopes lie largely in Spaniards

• Burnley: Third time the charm?

• Sunderland: Moyes the make or break factor in survival hopes

• Bournemouth: Well placed to avoid 'second season syndrome'

Still to come

• Tomorrow: West Bromwich Albion

• Sunday: Watford

• Monday: Swansea City

• Tuesday, Aug 2: Everton

• Wednesday, Aug 3: Chelsea

• Thursday, Aug 4: Stoke City

• Friday, Aug 5: Liverpool

• Saturday, Aug 6: West Ham United

• Sunday, Aug 7: Southampton

• Monday, Aug 8: Manchester United

• Tuesday, Aug 9: Manchester City

• Wednesday, Aug 10: Tottenham

• Thursday, Aug 11: Arsenal

• Friday, Aug 12: Leicester City

• Saturday, Aug 13: Premier League season begins

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport