Crystal Palace vs West Brom: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Selhurst Park

Alan Pardew vs Tony Pulis (Getty Images)

Tony Pulis travels back to his old stamping ground on Saturday to face an in-form Crystal Palace side oozing with confidence.

The Eagles find themselves mid-table after winning five of their last six games including a 4-1 demolition of Sunderland last weekend in which Alan Pardew claimed “was like watching Brazil.”

Pardew took over at Palace with the club just hovering above the relegation zone. However, his self-confidence seems to have rubbed off onto the players and their season is on the up.

The ex-Newcastle manager often splits opinions of football fans but his record at Palace is quite incredible: played 15, won 10, drew one and lost four whilst scoring 30 goals along the way.

West Brom head to Selhurst Park in desperate need of a win if they are to separate themselves from the relegation scrap. However, form is not on Pulis’ side as the Baggies have won just one of their last six games in all competitions, including two dour losses to Queen’s Park Rangers and Leicester City at the Hawthorns.

Pulis will be hoping he can record a crucial victory over his old side but the task will be a tough one with the likes of Yannick Bolasie and Glenn Murray playing the best football of their career.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

West Brom 2 (Anichebe, Berahino) Palace 2 (Hangeland, Jedinak), Premier League, October 2014

Palace 3 (Ince, Ledley, Chamakh) West Brom 1 (Thievy), Premier League, February 2014

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

STATS:

In a 2015 Premier League table, Palace are fifth, just two points behind leaders Chelsea.

Yannick Bolasie is the first Palace player to get a Premier League hat-trick.

His three goals at the Stadium of light came in just 11 minutes.

ODDS:

Palace to win: 2

West Brom to win: 4.5

Draw: 3.55

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm