Premier League: Crystal Palace v West Brom match preview

Both sides will undoubtably view this as a must-win game, as both sides hover just above the relegation zone. This is somewhat known as a ‘six pointer’ to bring out the relegation clichés this early on in the season. The sides met in the FA Cup last month where Palace ran out 2-0 winners at the Hawthorns.

Pepe Mel has still yet to win his first game at the club, despite picking up impressive point's against Liverpool and Everton. The departure of Shane Long now means Victor Anichebe has a chance to become the main striker at the Hawthorns and did himself no harm scoring the equaliser on Sunday as a substitute. After West Brom beat Palace in November, the Baggies went on a dreadful run of nine games without a win. The sides then met in the FA Cup last month where Palace ran out 2-0 winners at the Hawthorns.

All of Palace’s eight wins have come against sides that are in the battle to avoid the drop and Tony Pulis will look for an improvement from his defence following a poor display away to Arsenal. Palace face a difficult two tests after this one, away to Everton and sees Manchester United come to Selhurst Park, they obviously need to continue picking up vital points when they can. New signing Joe Ledley could be handed his first start, following his move from Celtic.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

West Brom 0, Crystal Palace 2 (Gayle, Chamakh), FA Cup, January 2014

West Brom 2 (Berahino, McAuley), Crystal Palace 0, Premier League, November 2013

Crystal Palace 1 (Reid OG), West Brom 1 (Tamas), Championship, April 2010

STATS:

West Brom have the most amount of draws in the league this year with 11

Youngster, Saido Berahino, is West Brom’s top scorer with 4

Jonas Olsson and Marouane Chamakh have received 8 yellow cards this year, joint highest in the league.

Crystal Palace have the lowest average possession in the league with 38.7%

Palace produce on average, 22.6 and 16.6 interceptions a game. Highest in the league.

The Baggies have kept one clean sheet in 14 games.

In the last six games, Jason Puncheon has scored all 3 of Palace’s goals.

Since Pulis has arrived the Eagles have won 4 out of the last 6 at home
ODDS:

Palace to win: 2.45

West Brom to win: 3.0

Draw: 3.1

CLASSIC MOMENT/MATCH:

West Brom’s great escape in 2005 came at a cost for Palace. The London side failed to be Charlton on the final day of the season and because of the Baggies’ win against Portsmouth, sent Iain Dowie’s Palace down.

TV: Highlights on Match of The Day on BBC1 at 10.30pm.