The Eagles look to bounce back from two straight defeats as they make a trip north, to the Midlands to take on Alan Irvine’s West Bromwich Albion.
The teams met three times last season including an FA Cup third round tie. The Baggies ran out winners in the first league fixture at the Hawthorns whilst Palace bagged a 3-1 win at Selhurst Park as well as running out 2-0 winners in the cup tie.
West Brom have had a similar start to Palace but they find themselves on nine points after eight games replicating Neil Warnock’s side in terms of form. However, they currently with one more point than the Eagles. Irvine’s men have not won in their two games since the shock result at Tottenham Hotspur.
Plenty of fresh faces were brought in to the club in the summer. Eleven new signings to be exact whilst only spending £10 million, it seems Alan Irvine has proven it pays to but smart than buy big. Joleon Lescott, Chrisitian Gamboa and Sebastian Pocognoli are just a few of their summer signings as well as loanees Andre Wisdom from Liverpool and Silvestre Varela from Dinamo.
The Eagles will have to wary of young striker Saido Berinhao whose form netting six goals already this season has made him the top English goal scorer in the division including two goals in his last two appearances. Frazier Campbell is tied in second place with three goals having scored twice in his last three outings.
Team News
West Bromwich Albion
Silvestre Varela is yet to make an appearance for the Baggies and looks likely to miss out again following a minor groin operation shortly after joining the midlands outfit. Chris Brunt has resumed training and only just missed out on featuring in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United. Joleon Lescott and Victor Anichebe remain doubts for Saturday’s game whilst Brown Ideye is set to feature in the squad.
Crystal Palace
Damien Delaney will miss the game through suspension after his controversial second yellow card in the defeat to Chelsea. Comments made by Neil Warnock has seen him charged by the FA. Scott Dann is a possibile for the trip which would ease the defensive headache for the South Londoners. Otherwise Adrian Mariappa is the obvious partner for Brede Hangeland at the heart of the Eagles’ defence. Joe Ledley was forced off through injury last week and replaced by Adlene Guedioura who may be handed his first Premier League start of the season if the Welshman cannot make it.
Analysis and Predictions
Prediction for West Bromwich Albion – 14th
West Brom have seen a lot of changes in and out of the club. Their main goal will to be secure Premier League football for next season but should look to improve on last season’s seventeenth place finish, just surviving at the expense of Norwich City. The form of Saido Beranhio will be key to their success and will hope that will see him called up for England at senior level. Joleon Lescott will provide experience alongside long term servants Chris Brunt and Ben Foster and should steer West Brom to safety, if only just.
EPL Index prediction – draw
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson’s prediction – draw
Who Scored prediction – home win
My prediction – away win
