ALEX JONES (@AlexJ0nes9) analyses the odds as West Brom take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.
West Brom vs Crystal Palace | Sunday 6th December 2020, 12:00 | Sky Sports
West Brom host another huge game in their bid for survival on their return to the Premier League as Crystal Palace visit the West Midlands. The Baggies got their season up and running last week in a hard-fought win over Sheffield United.
The big team news ahead of this one is the return of Palace’s main man Wilfried Zaha who has missed the last two games due to a positive Covid-19 test. He is influential to their play, and it is no surprise they have lost two without scoring in his absence. He will likely slot straight in up front and try and get Palace back on track.
West Brom saw off a Sheffield United onslaught last week to get their first victory. The Blades peppered Sam Johnstone’s goal with 21 shots, whilst missing six Big Chances. That game went against the grain of what was expected.
Somehow, there were 38 shots and 23 corners, but only one goal. The Blades had an xG of 3.25 last Saturday but failed to find the net, which shows how woeful they were in front of goal and how they really let West Brom off the hook.
At home, West Brom have the highest average shots-per-game on their goal, with 16.8. They have played five home games thus far and conceded 84 shots. Palace also average the third-highest shots average away from Selhurst Park, too, with 15 per game.
I’m not expecting statistics to rack up like they did in West Brom’s last home game, but Zaha’s return will likely see more attacking impetus from the visitors. They themselves don’t have a clean sheet since the opening day of the season.
I can certainly see both sides netting, considering the defensive frailties of both sides and with Zaha likely to be back in the Palace side, I can’t back against them scoring.
I will oppose goals though as these two sides have seen fewer than four goals in 15 of the 20 games, they have played this season in the league. West Brom have seen Under 2.5 cop in their last seven games, and they only have two goals to their name in those seven. That run over the last two months needs to change, or you have to fear the worst.
The bet for this one is opposing goals but getting a card apiece onside. Bet365 offer 10/11 on Under 4 Goals and Both Teams Over 0 Cards. That looks like a nice way in given West Brom games have seen both sides pick up at least a caution in 8/10 games, whilst in Palace games it has occurred in 6/10.
The referee is Paul Tierney who has dished out a load of cards recently, he’s given out 21 cards in his last four games. He has given both sides one card or more in 10 of his last 12 games in all competitions. He refereed three Crystal Palace games last season and gave out 6, 4 and 5 cards.
TOPICS Premier League TipsBest Bets
West Brom vs Crystal Palace – Under 4 Goals and Both Teams Over 0 Cards (10/11 Bet365)
