Crystal Palace go looking for their first home win since beating Aston Villa several weeks ago.
After beating Watford in a hard fought victory at Vicarage Road, the Eagles will look to use that momentum against a familiar figure in the Baggies dugout.
Former Palace boss Tony Pulis, who is famed for his side’s defensive master-class, saw a two goal lead slip as West Brom eventually lost 3-2 at home to Everton with former Baggies loanee Romelu Lukaku doing the damage.
The Welshman will not have been impressed with the lack of fight displayed by his players. Their goal scoring record reflects their league position with just six goals in seven games sees the Midlands outfit sitting in fifteenth place in the Premier League.
Controversial striker Saido Berahino has yet to hit proper form as his fourteen goals last term helped steer West Brom to a thirteenth place finish in typical Pulis fashion. Rickie Lambert is also looking to rediscover the form he enjoyed at Southampton as opposed to that which he showed after joining Liverpool.
Alan Pardew said he is happy with the Eagles points total so far after what he described as a tough run of opening fixtures. He told the media this week that it has been a really tough start, so the points total is very good. However, Pardew is frustrated by the number of injuries that the club have experienced over the last few weeks.
Our resident Baggies fan Dan Watts had a chat with Jim Daly on Palace Fan TV ahead of the game.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Joel Ward, Mile Jedinak, Connor Wickham and Damien Delaney all miss out for Palace which means the Eagles are likely to remain unchanged for the visit of West Bromwich Albion. Pardew is confident that they will all return for the visit of West Ham United after the international break.
West Bromwich Albion – England goalkeeper Ben Foster is a long term absentee with a knee injury while Gareth McAuley is a doubt with a calf injury.
Form Guide
This early in the season the league tells us all we need to know about recent form. Palace sit in seventh place on twelve points having won three and lost three of the last six games. Meanwhile, West Brom have eight points after two wins, two draws and two losses in the last six.
From the last six games between the two teams it is very even with two wins each and two draws. Three of those games were at Selhurst Park with one win a piece and one draw.
- 18th April 2015 – Crystal Palace 0-2 West Bromwich Albion. A second minute lead courtesy of Morrison was doubled by a strike from distance in the second half from Gardner to seal all three points for the visitors.
- 25th October 2014 – West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Crystal Palace. A tale of two halves as Palace went in at the break two goals up thanks to Hangeland and Jedinak. Goals from Anichebe and a late penalty from Berahino gave the hosts a point although there was plenty of controversy over a challenge from Dawson on Speroni which saw the Palace keeper leave the field due to concussion.
The side from the Hawthorns have only won twice in their last fourteen league trips to London with their last coming against Palace back in April. Tony Pulis’ side last win came away at Aston Villa and they have won two of their last four. They are the only team in the Premier League yet to concede a goal away from home.
One to Watch
Saido Berahino – striker
The young English striker scored a bountiful fourteen goals last season which propelled West Brom up the table. Since scoring in the win at Villa Park, Berahino has scored in two consecutive games for the first time since March and will be looking to regain his form from last season to impress Roy Hodgson in time for England’s Euro 2016 campaign. He caused much controversy after the summer transfer window when a proposed move to Tottenham Hotspur broke down, going to social media to proclaim that he would never play for chairman Jeremy Peace again.
Predictions
Final league position – 13th
Pulis should once again mastermind an escape from relegation for West Brom. However, if their goal scoring record does not improve it is hard to see them improving on last years thirteenth placed finish and may find themselves looking for a new man in charge. Baggies fans are currently divided on the Pulis tenure, which is very much reminiscent of his time at Palace.
- TEB prediction – home win
- Resident Baggies fan Dan Watts prediction – away win
- Who Scored prediction – home win
Betting Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home 5/6
- Draw 5/2
- Away 7/2
Find our what resident Baggies fan Dan Watts told TEB this week in The Baggies View.
