‘Morale-boosting’ – Exclusive: Kevin Phillips predicts result of West Brom v Crystal Palace
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
West Brom welcome Crystal Palace to The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon as Slaven Bilic’s men bid to win two consecutive league games for the first time since July.
Albion won their first Premier League match of the season last week when Conor Gallagher’s first-half goal was enough to secure all three points against fellow strugglers Sheffield United.
Since Roy Hodgson took charge at Palace, his side have won twice and drawn once with West Brom and not conceded any goals in the process.
However, Kevin Phillips, who played for both the Baggies and the Eagles, has predicted Bilic’s men to earn all three points this weekend in the Black Country.
“It will be a tough match, Crystal Palace travel well,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“They’re a good team with good players but I think it will be a tight game.
“The Baggies will want to follow that morale-boosting win with another one and another performance.
“I’m going to back the Baggies because they’re at home so I’m going to go for a 1-0 win.”
Palace started the season well but have lost three of their last four matches and have slipped down to 15th in the league.
West Brom’s win over the Blades last week will hopefully have blown some wind into the sails at The Hawthorns to spark a good run of form over the coming games.
If Albion want to survive, these are the games they need to win but Hodgson has only lost once to the West Midlands club in his career.
The former Baggies manager has taken charge of six games against his old team and his only defeat was back in 2008 when he was at Fulham.
It could be a tough afternoon for both sides given the history and the form they’re in.
In other West Brom news, Adrian Durham has recalled the moment this ex-Albion ace left him “mesmerised” at The Hawthorns.
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