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Fri 2 October 2015 8:55, UK

Crystal Palace v West Brom
Saturday 3rd October, 12:45
Live on BT Sport 1
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“Each of Palace’s last three Premier League matches and three of West Brom’s last four have finished with fewer than 1.5 goals.”
Crystal Palace
The Eagles got back to winning ways in the Premier League last weekend with a gritty 1-0 victory away to an in-form Watford. It was Palace’s third away win of the season and they have now picked up nine of their 12 points on the road.
Home form has become a slight issue for Alan Pardew’s men, but if narrow defeats to Arsenal and Manchester City so far this season are anything to go by, then it won’t be long before they start to turn things around at Selhurst Park.
Where the goals are going to come from, however, is likely to be of some concern to Pardew. The Eagles have now failed to scored from open play in each of their last three Premier League matches.
Team News: Damien Delaney, Connor Wickham, Joel Ward and Mile Jedinak remain sidelined due to injury and Pardew has confirmed that Dwight Gayle will lead the line.
West Brom
Monday night’s second-half collapse at home to Everton was extremely uncharacteristic of a Tony Pulis side that had previously kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League. How they react to that set back will be pivotal in the outcome of this Saturday’s game.
Prior to a second-string XI losing to Norwich in the Capital One Cup last Wednesday, when they also conceded three, the Baggies were unbeaten in four matches in all competitions and had kept clean sheets in five of their previous six matches.
Saido Berahino’s two goals in his last two appearances are encouraging, but their biggest asset has always been a strong defensive record under Pulis and West Brom must rediscover that if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle this season.
Team News: Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley are both doubtful and Ben Foster is unavailable due to injury.
Match Odds
If we can ignore Palace’s relatively poor home form under Pardew, and I think we should, then 1.82 about the Eagles picking up all three points here is a particularly appealing bet.
Recent wins for West Brom away to Stoke and Aston Villa showed the typical grit and determination that you’d expect from a Pulis side, but up against a fast and exciting Palace team I think they’ll be undone.
Plus, if we consider this season’s home results in isolation narrow defeats against City and Arsenal really aren’t too much to be overly concerned about for Palace. All things considered, this looks like a home banker and odds of 1.82 are worth keeping on side.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Each of Palace’s last three Premier League matches and three of West Brom’s last four have finished with fewer than 1.5 goals. The Baggies have also kept clean sheets in more than half (4) of their seven Premier League matches this season, while Palace, as mentioned above, haven’t scored from open play in their last three.
On the flip side, of course, is West Brom’s 3-2 defeat to Everton on Monday night. I think it’s fair to treat that result as more of an anomaly than any significant change in outlook from the Baggies, and therefore Under 2.5 goals at odds of 1.77 looks to be another safe bet.
Half Time
Our Opta stats inform us that 13 of the 16 goals in games featuring the Eagles this season have come after half-time, while it’s also true that each of their last five Premier League games have been goalless at the interval. Suffice to say that Pardew’s men like to ease their way into a game.
The 0-0 selection in the Half Time Correct Score market can be backed at odds of 2.80, while 2.10 just on the game being level at the interval offers a little extra insurance.
Recommended Bets
2pts Back Palace to win @ 1.82
2pts Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.77
1pt Back Half Time 0-0 @ 2.90
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