Crystal Palace vs West Brom Prediction and Preview – 03/10/15
Premier League preview – Crystal Palace vs West Brom prediction
When the two teams met in April at Selhurst Park, West Brom ran out easy winners in a 2-0 win in front of a crowd just shy of 25000. If they can provide the same result on Saturday, the Baggies away-day faithful will be delighted as well as perhaps a little surprised; as Palace go into the weekends game flying high at 7th in the league. If results go their way, Palace could move up to third in the table by 5pm on Saturday evening. Appiah, Chamakh, Delaney, Inniss, Jedinak, Ward, Wickham and Williams are all injured and will not feature on the weekend.
Alan Pardew is just as much a fans favourite as manager as he was in his playing days and the wonderful atmosphere currently surrounding the club is showing this season. It has been a much different first few games compared to the beginning of last season when Tony Pulis left just days before the season opener against Arsenal; and this memory will no doubt add to the feistiness of the game as he returns on Saturday as West Brom boss. The Baggies are having a shaky start to the campaign and find themselves 15th after seven games, although they are on the same points and have the same goal difference as pre-season title favourites Chelsea – although it is still early days in the season. This could tell on Saturday as their injury list is looking a lot better than Palace’s with only Foster definitely not making the swaud with Olssen and McAuley also doubtful to start.
Possible Line-Ups
Crystal Palace – 4-2-3-1 Hennessey, Kelly, Dann, Hangeland, Souare, Cabaye, McArthur, Puncheon, Sako, Bolasie, Gayle
West Brom – 4-5-1 Myhill, Dawson, McAuley (if available), Evans, Brunt, McClean, Fletcher, Yacob, Morrison, Berahino, Rondon
Statistics
The two teams have played each other a total of 29 times over the years and the points have been almost even spread with ten draws, ten wins for West Brom and nine for Palace – could they make the stats satisfyingly even with a win on Saturday?
West Brom have lost their last two games whereas Palace have won both of their previous fixtures and five times in the last ten games.
Crystal Palace have only kept one clean sheet in their last ten games in all competitions whereas, almost surprisingly, the Baggies have kept five.
Adding to the above stat, Palace’s only clean sheet came in their last game, meaning they have not conceded for 115 minutes of play whereas WBA have only gone 6.
Predictions
It is still early on in the season and near impossible to call matches like these but I would say the smart money is on Crystal Palace on the weekend – even with their injury list. Looking at the team sheet, Bolasie and Gayle are stand out players and both will be looking to get themselves on the scoresheet come 12.45pm Saturday. They are playing free flowing attacking football this season which may strain West Brom’s clean sheet record but also leaves them wanting at the back.
West Brom will be looking to this game thinking that they have every chances of coming away with the points, just as they did in April. They have not been at their best in the past couple of weeks and will be hoping their fortunes improve on the weekend. It’s a hard one to call but my money is on a Palace win.
Tips
Crystal Palace to be in front both at Half and Full Time – 7/4 with Bet 365
Crystal Palace to win 3-1 – 16/1 with Bet 365
Bolasie to score first and Crystal Palace to win 3-1 – 75/1 with Bet 365
What are your predictions?
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