Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has insisted Yannick Bolasie will be included in the squad to face West Brom, saying the forward is in condition to play despite reports linking him with a transfer to Everton.
Palace will host the Baggies in their Premier League opener on Saturday, and Bolasie will be involved at Selhurst Park.
Pardew’s side have managed just 11 points in the Premier League in 2016, so will be hoping for a more positive start to the new campaign.
West Brom, meanwhile, will be hoping to build on last season’s 14th-placed finish that saw them finish a point and a place above the Eagles.
Team news
Of Crystal Palace’s new signings, only Andros Townsend is expected to start in Saturday’s Premier League opener.
James Tomkins has a hamstring problem, while Saturday may prove too soon for Steve Mandanda – the goalkeeper made a late start to pre-season because of his involvement in France’s run to the final of Euro 2016.
West Brom boss Tony Pulis still has Saido Berahino available for the trip to Crystal Palace despite bids from the Eagles and Stoke being on the table.
James Morrison is still troubled by the hamstring injury he suffered in January which ruled him out for the end of last season while Chris Brunt is closing in on a recover from a serious knee injury, having missed Euro 2016, but is not yet fit.
Matty Phillips could make his West Brom debut after signing from QPR for £5.5million this summer but he remains the Baggies’ only summer signing so far.
Opta stats
Crystal Palace have won just three of their last 13 home matches in the league against West Bromwich Albion (W3 D6 L4).
Of all current Premier League teams to have played three or more opening weekend matches, WBA have the lowest win rate, winning one of their 10 previous games (10%).
Crystal Palace have won only one of their last eight season openers held at Selhurst Park (D4 L3) – 3-2 versus Leicester in 2010.
Of clubs still in the Premier League in 2016-17, Crystal Palace have won the fewest points in 2016 so far (11).
Crystal Palace lost the 2016 FA Cup final to Manchester United – the previous two losing FA Cup finalists have been relegated from the Premier League in the following season (Hull City and Aston Villa).
Tony Pulis (1.46) is the only permanent manager to have a better Premier League points per game as Crystal Palace coach than current boss Alan Pardew (1.30).
West Bromwich Albion ended 2015-16 on a nine-match winless streak in the Premier League (W0 D4 L5), with their last Premier League victory coming on March 6.
As at this post Crystal Palace has 1.93 odd to win the match on NaijaBet while West Brom has 4.19 odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 3.23