West Bromwich Albion v Palace

The Hawthorns, Saturday 3.00pm

Story so far

A scintillating attacking display from Liverpool saw West Brom on the wrong end of a heavy 4-1 defeat at Anfield last weekend, a solitary James Morrison penalty providing scant consolation for Steve Clarke’s men.

Youssuf Mulumbu is supposedly attracting the attention of other Premier League teams ahead of the January transfer window, an unsurprising fact given his solid form of late. He’s completed more passes in the opponent’s half than any other West Brom player, with 231 to his name so far this season.

Morgan Amalfitano continues to shine this season, and not just with the ball at his feet. He’s won 70% of his 10 attempted challenges according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

James Morrison managed to bag a consolation penalty at Anfield, yet his shooting has actually been somewhat below his usually high standards so far this season. Only 30% of his 10 shots this season have worked the goalkeeper and no doubt Steve Clarke will be looking for him to get back to his usual sharp form should he feature this weekend. Morrison is 13/4 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.

Centre-half Jonas Olsson continues to rank among the best defenders in the league according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He currently sits 2nd in the league for clearances with 89.

Apparently galvanized by Ian Holloway’s departure, Crystal Palace turned in a solid display against Arsenal and will have felt unlucky to come away with nothing after a 0-2 defeat.

Midfielder Mile Jedinak has impressed many this season with his physical style of play and he very nearly got himself on the scoresheet with a sweetly struck effort against Arsenal. He so far leads the Palace squad, and ranks 5th in the league overall, for total defensive contributions (tackles won, blocks, clearances, interceptions) with 118.

Palace fans will be looking for a more disciplined performance from Adiene Guedioura should he feature this weekend. The Algerian international conceded the joint second highest number of fouls in the league last weekend with 4 according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, including the crucial mistimed tackle on Serge Gnabry which led to Mikel Arteta’s penalty.

Damien Delaney signed a contract extension this week, unsurprising given his great form recently. No player in the last round of fixtures made more interceptions that Delaney’s 9 against Arsenal.

Despite his recent dip in form, Jason Puncheon has still been one of Crystal Palace’s most effective attackers this season, leading the squad as he does total attacking contributions (shots on goal, assists, dribbles, crosses) with 21. Puncheon is 11/2 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.

Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at fantasy.premierleague.com or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 14.

Team news

West Brom

West Brom look to check on the fitness of Morgan Amalfitano and ex-Palace loanee Scott Sinclair before choosing their first eleven.

Amalfitano suffered a knee injury in the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool last weekend, and Sinclair has missed the last three matches due to a hamstring problem.

Palace

Keith Millen has no new injury concerns for the trip to the Midlands.

Jonathan Parr looks to challenge Dean Moxey's position for a start at left back, but the game comes too soon for the likes of Paddy McCarthy and Jon Williams.

Quotes

Roy Hodgson

"I'm delighted to be in charge again on Saturday against West Brom.

"We are looking good fitness-wise. The squad is fully fit and I've got a few selection problems now.

"There's enough points to play for to stay up. If you can get even a point Saturday, it's a start. We aren't cut adrift yet."

Steve Clarke

"Palace are in a difficult situation just now - But I watched their game last week against Arsenal and they were very competitive.

"They’ve had a difficult start and they’ll be looking at this as a game where they can pick up points.

"They’re well motivated and they’re doing their job for Keith. There are no easy games in this league and we respect Crystal Palace.

"They’re a team that’s hungry for points and to prove they belong in the Premier League.

“It’s not a game we’ll be taking lightly. It’s a game we’ll be taking very, very seriously.”

“We always look forward to our home games - The crowd are important for us both at home and away.

“We’ve sold out for Saturday and we’re looking forward to benefiting from a strong backing.

“Palace will have good away support, too. It should be a good atmosphere and hopefully a good game.

“The onus will be on us to create chances and have a go and that’s what we’ll try to do.

“It hasn’t quite worked out for Palace yet and we have to make sure it doesn’t work out for them on Saturday, either.

“We have to make sure they leave The Hawthorns disappointed.”

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West Bromwich Albion - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
12th	9	2	4	3	10

Full league table

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West Bromwich Albion - current form

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
8	2	4	2	8	9

Full form table

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Our away record v West Bromwich Albion

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
22	6	5	11	28	35

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Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
26/04/2010	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 1	West Bromwich Albion
26/09/2009	League	West Bromwich Albion	0 - 1	Crystal Palace
12/03/2008	League	West Bromwich Albion	1 - 1	Crystal Palace
01/12/2007	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 1	West Bromwich Albion
14/03/2007	League	West Bromwich Albion	2 - 3	Crystal Palace

All time results

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One to watch

Stephen Sessegnon

West Brom purchased Sessegnon on deadline day this summer from Sunderland.

Last year with Sunderland, Sessegnon made 35 league appearances for Sunderland and was a key player at the Stadium of Light.

Sessegnon has completed more dribbles than any other player at West Brom (16), despite missing the first three games of the season.

Ref watch

Neil Swarbrick‎

Swarbrick took up refereeing relatively late, at the age of twenty-nine. Within six years he was promoted to the National List of assistant referees. He fulfilled this role for four years before being added to the Referees List.

He refereed in the Football Conference until moving into the Football League. He has also officiated FA Cup and Football League Cup matches.

His first Premier League appointment came on 11 December 2010, when he took charge of a goalless draw between Fulham and Sunderland.

During his second Premier League appointment on 26 February 2011 Swarbrick issued his first red card in England's top-level division to D. J. Campbell of Blackpool as they lost 4-0 away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Last meeting

Palace 1-1 West Bromwich Albion

Monday April 26 2010

Palace: Speroni, Hill, McCarthy, Butterfield, Lawrence (N'Diaye, 89), Ertl (John, 77), Ambrose, Derry, Danns (sent off 83), Andrew, Scannell (Lee, 68)

Subs not used: Carle, Davis, Clyne, Mann

Goals: Reid 17 (og)

Bookings: Hill

Sent Off: Danns 83

West Bromwich Albion: Carson, Cech, Tamas, Olsson (Meite, 77), Brunt, Dorrans (Morrison, 85), Koren (Barnes, 71), Reid, Mulumbu, Bednar, Cox

Subs not used: Kiely, Mattock, Wood, Mantom

Goals: Tamas 21

Bookings: Bednar, Cox, Dorrans, Olsson, Reid

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