West Bromwich Albion host Crystal Palace on Saturday evening in a Premier League clash between two sides who are both struggling for form. Tony Pulis comes up against his former club who are bottom of the Premier League form table (6 games) with just one point. Albion aren’t faring much better with just 6 points in their last 6 league games.
We’ve come up with a combined XI of the two sides with the following rules;
4-4-2 formation
6 Picks each (11 players, 1 manager)
No long term injuries
Take a look through the slideshow and let us know if you agree!
GK - Ben Foster
The English shot-stopper has been in good form since his return and will be looking for a good run towards the end of the season as he looks to get into England’s EURO 2016 squad.
RB - Craig Dawson
Mr consistent in the defence gets the right back spot in our combined XI.
CB - Scott Dann
A no-nonsense centre back with an eye for goal too. Big and powerful and one of Palace’s best players.
CB - Gareth McAuley
“He’s better than JT”. Getting better with age and at 36 still looks like he could go for a few more years.
LB - Chris Brunt
Had a torrid weekend but handled it like a model professional and has got on with his football. Will be a special moment for him with the collection for a charity of his choice.
RM - Wilfred Zaha
His career never took off at Manchester United but feels more at home at Palace. His skills and pace on the wing can give even the best of full backs a difficult time.
CM - Darren Fletcher
Been in good form recently with a coupled of goals in the now dead FA Cup run. One of the first names on the teamsheet each week for Tony Puis.
CM - Yohan Cabaye
Much like Fletcher Cabaye has a good all round game. Can attack and defend and he has a deadly eye from set pieces.
LM - Yannick Bolasie
His creative skills have set the league alight over the last 18 months. On his day he’s one of the best wingers in the league.
ST - Saido Berahino
Very much a hot and cold striker but on his day he can be unplayable just needs a good run of form to get back to his best.
ST - Emmanuel Adebayor
The controversial 32-year-old has finally found a club where he’ll get regular playing time. Could turn out to be a hit or could flop but the quality still remains in the forward.
Manager - Alan Pardew
Pardew is much like the PAlace side. Sometimes they’re unbeatable, sometimes they can’t string two wins together. Still just gets the nod in our combined XI over former Palace and now Albion boss Tony Pulis.