Crystal Palace will be looking to extend their recent run of excellent form when they take on struggling West Bromwich Albion at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles have flown past the 40-point mark to ensure their stay in the Premier League next season, while their opponents may just be looking over their shoulder following their defeat to Leicester City last time out.
Crystal Palace
© Getty Images
Since his arrival at the club in January, Alan Pardew has reversed the fortunes of Palace as he has guided them from the danger of relegation to mid-table security in four months.
When the 53-year-old joined the Eagles they resided in 18th place in the table, but victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley and Leicester City moved them out of the bottom three.
The club's form since February has been exceptional as they have won five out of their last six matches, including a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Selhurst Park last week.
Striker Glenn Murray role in his side's surge up the table has been critical as he has netted five goals in his last six matches, which has included three goals in the last three games.
Murray's form has typified the form of the Palace attack that has scored 14 goals in their last six matches, as Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie have displayed their quality from their wings with assists and strikes of their own.
Bolasie caught the eye with an impressive second-half hat-trick in the 4-1 hammering of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, which may have alerted several teams around Europe of his quality.
Despite their recent exploits, Pardew may have concerns over his side's defensive displays as they have failed to keep a clean sheet since February 7, a run that stretches back eight league games.
If Palace can maintain their form until the end of the season they could be in line for their best finish in the Premier League, eclipsing their feat of the last campaign when they finished 11th with 45 points.
Recent form: WLWWWW
West Brom
© Getty Images
Tony Pulis takes his Baggies team back to his former club under the slightest bit of pressure as his side slipped to their third defeat on the spin in the top flight last week.
Despite holding a 2-1 lead against Leicester going into the final 10 minutes at The Hawthorns, West Brom slumped to a 3-2 loss to the Foxes to heighten their relegation worries, with six games left in the campaign.
The Baggies are still seven points clear of the relegation zone, but arguably have one of the toughest run-ins to end the season as they face four teams currently in the top five in the table, which will increase the urgency among Pulis's men.
One of the club's main problems in their recent run of poor form has been the number of goals they have conceded, which is a criticism not usually aimed at a team managed by the 57-year-old, as the Baggies have shipped 10 goals in their last three matches.
Scoring goals has also been an issue throughout the campaign as only four teams have netted fewer strikes. It seems to be the case when Saido Berahino doesn't score the team tends to struggle to carve out victories. The 21-year-old has scored 12 of the club's 30 league goals this season.
West Brom's form away from The Hawthorns this season has been poor as they have recorded just two victories on their travels and drawn a further six games. The last of those wins came in November against Leicester before Pulis arrived at the club.
As four of the club's remaining matches are on the road, they may have to change that record to secure their Premier Leagues status for the next campaign.
Recent form: WLWLLL
Team News
© Getty Images
Pardew will likely stick with the same team that beat Sunderland in convincing fashion last time out, although Pape Souare could miss out due to a thigh injury picked up at the Stadium of Light.
Martin Kelly replaced him in the first half and would be expected to start against the Baggies in his place at the back.
James McArthur has been battling an illness, but should be fit to feature. Meanwhile, the game may come too soon for the return of Jordon Mutch and Fraizer Campbell.
West Brom will be without Youssouf Mulumbu as he will serve the final game of his three-match suspension, while Ben Foster is also out due to his torn ACL.
Brown Ideye has been struggling with a knee injury and will face a fitness test before the clash at Selhurst Park. If the Nigerian is unfit, he will likely be replaced by Victor Anichebe.
Palace possible starting lineup:
Speroni, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Kelly, Bolasie, McArthur, Jedinak, Zaha, Puncheon, Murray
West Brom possible starting lineup:
Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Lescott, Brunt, Morrison, Gardner, Fletcher, Yacob, Berahino, Ideye
Head To Head
A stoppage-time penalty from Berahino earned the Baggies a point in the clash between the teams at The Hawthorns earlier this season.
Goals from Brede Hangeland and Mile Jedinak had given the Eagles a 2-0 half-time lead, but Victor Anichebe struck in the second half while Berahino remained cool from the spot to secure the draw.
In their last meeting at Selhurst Park, Palace claimed a 3-1 victory in February 2014, which atoned for their two defeats earlier in the season in the FA Cup and the Premier League.
In history, West Brom have fared better in the fixture as they have won the contest 20 times compared to the 15 of the Eagles, while 14 matches have ended in a draw.
We say: Palace 2-1 West Brom
Palace are flying high at the moment and seem to be clicking in all phases of their game, which is the complete opposite of where the Baggies are at this stage of the campaign. The pace of Bolasie and Zaha will continue to be the driving force of another win for Pardew's men to continue their push into the top half of the table.
Simon Sinclair
