Palace v West Bromwich Albion

Selhurst Park, Saturday 3.00pm

Iain Dowie

Team news

Aki Riihilahti (bruised leg) and Fitz Hall (foot) have recovered from injury and are available for this crucial match against fellow strugglers West Brom.

Right-back Danny Butterfield (hamstring) is fit after a successful run-out in the reserves but Dowie will stand by Emmerson Boyce. Nicola Ventola (knee) is still rated doubtful.

West Brom's Neil Clement and Darren Purse and suspended and defender Paul Robinson could return to the side after overcoming a knee injury.

Palace will be hoping to end a 12-match winless run against the Baggies. Michael Hughes is set to make his 50th appearance for the Eagles.

West Bromwich Albion - league stats

Full league table

West Bromwich Albion - current form

Full form table

Our home record v West Bromwich Albion

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
27/03/2004	League	West Bromwich Albion	2 - 0	Crystal Palace
20/09/2003	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 2	West Bromwich Albion
21/04/2002	League	West Bromwich Albion	2 - 0	Crystal Palace
31/10/2001	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 1	West Bromwich Albion
03/02/2001	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 2	West Bromwich Albion

All time results

One to watch

Zoltan Gera

This lively Hungarian was a highly rated target for Iain Dowie this summer but had him snatched from under his nose by West Brom. Now Palace fans know what we have lost.

This man is a talent beyond which many of us thought. He is quick, accurate and deadly, and has torn many a premiership defence to pieces this season, including our last conquerers Bolton.

If we manage to keep him quiet then we have also the threat of former Arsenal & Nigeria striker Nwankwo Kanu to deal with. He is a top player and should not be underestimated at any lengths.

Others to look out for include Jason Koumas who is capable of scoring from anywhere in the opposing half and Robert Earnshaw who is currently itching to start and make a name for himself at the Hawthorns.

Last meeting

Nationwide League Division 1 - 20/09/2003

Crystal Palace 2-2 WBA Freedman 59 Hulse 52 Johnson 90 Koumas 89

Palace team: Berthelin, Smith (Fleming 68), Borrowdale, Popovic (Symons 60), Mullins, Butterfield, Derry, Hughes, Johnson, Freedman (Routledge 79), Shipperley

Subs Not Used - Watson, Cronin

Attendance: 17477

Referee: P S Danson (Leicester)

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