Crystal Palace suffered a 1-0 defeat against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday night away from Selhurst Park.
Justin Kluivert scored in the 79th minute for the Cherries as they picked up four wins from their last five games. The Eagles are eight points above the drop zone but things could change quickly if they fail to pick up some wins in the remaining matches.
Oliver Glasner, who replaced Roy Hodgson, will need more time to implement his system and philosophy. But his current priority is to get some wins and bring back optimism among the Palace fans.
Phil Jagielka said on BBC Radio 5 Live, as relayed by BBC Sport, that Palace could be dragged into a relegation battle if they keep losing games.
Sheffield United and Burnley are almost certain to go down, but who would join them remains unclear. Luton Town is 18th in the table, but Nottingham Forest and Everton are also in a precarious position.
Jagielka delivers Crystal Palace relegation verdict
The former Everton defender said: “I think Crystal Palace will be keeping their eye on other fixtures for the next couple of games now. If the teams below them don’t really put any pressure on them, we’re talking getting three or four points, then Palace will be absolutely fine.
“However if they get a couple of bad weekends then it could be the case that they get dragged into the relegation battle. They don’t quite look like they can go out and win games at the moment.”
Palace should have got something from Tuesday’s game but their poor finishing has cost them. The Eagles will face Manchester City in their next Premier League game at Selhurst Park, and their winless run could extend up to four games.
It will require a herculean effort to get something against the Premier League champions, and Glasner will pin hopes on Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta to deliver.
There is a possibility that Michael Olise could return to the squad this weekend. He hasn’t made an appearance for the Eagles since early February when he picked up a hamstring injury against Brighton.
Olise has scored six times and provided three assists in just 11 Premier League appearances this season, and his return could be massive for the side.
Palace are missing several key players at the moment. Cheick Doucoure is currently out with a calf injury, and Glasner recently suggested that he is unsure when the 24-year-old midfielder will return.
Two centre-backs – Rob Holding and Marc Guehi – are also out injured. Christopher Richards also picked up a knee injury in the previous game. Matheus Franca is also out with a groin injury and the weekend fixture may have come too soon for him.
Odsonne Edouard, meanwhile, could likely return to the side. The former Celtic striker picked up an injury in training, and Palace will be heavily boosted if he makes the squad against Pep Guardiola’s side.
In other Crystal Palace news, Glenn Murray has been blown away by 27-year-old ‘wonderful’ Eagles player.
