There was a massive sigh of relieve for our Crystal Palace punters in the Transfer Tavern this week following Sam Allardyce’s first league win for the Eagles since taking over in December.

The former England boss had not won in his first five outings in the league and Palace’s run stretched further to the 3rd December when they beat Southampton 3-0 at Selhurst Park. Big Sam’s only win before Tuesday was a 2-1 win in an FA Cup 3rd round replay tie with another former employer, Bolton Wanderers.

Though it has taken Allardyce a long time to get his first win, our Landlord firmly believes that you’d be a fool to write off his Palace side whom he has strengthened most notably by signing Patrick van Aanholt and Mamadou Sakho to bolster his defence as well as Jeffery Schlupp from Leicester City earlier in the window. Above all, being able to keep hold of main goal threat, Christian Benteke, is a major positive, and the Belgium striker’s form will surely be a contributing factor in whether the Eagles can survive the drop or not.

Palace meet Big Sam’s former employers, Sunderland, on Saturday in a potential relegation six-pointer. This game will not only be interesting as it is Allardyce’s former club but also Patrick van Aanholt signed from the Black Cats earlier in the week.

This match-up promises to be a relegation thriller for sure!

With all that said, here is the line up our Landlord predicts the Eagles will go with in order to secure a vital 3 points…

GK: Wayne Hennessey

Although Steve Mandanda has recently returned to Palace training, our Landlord predicts that he is not match fit – and Hennessey will continue between the sticks for the Eagles.

CB: James Tomkins

The summer signing from West Ham will be looking to play his part in tightening up a defence that has conceded 41 goals in the league so far this season.

CB: Scott Dann

Having made his return from injury in January – Dann is gradually getting back to his efficient best after an impressive performance against Bournemouth on Tuesday in which he capped it off with a goal.

CB: Mamadou Sakho

A massive signing for Crystal Palace, our Landlord believes that the addition of Sakho will surely tighten up Palace’s defence and see them move up the table.

RWB: Joel Ward

A loyal servant to Crystal Palace, Ward has had to play both on the right and left side this season but the addition of both Patrick van Aanholt and Jeffery Schlupp means he will no longer be required to fill in on the left.

CM: Yohan Cabaye

Another player with immense talent, Palace will be looking to Cabaye to control the midfield against a lacklustre Sunderland side.

CM: James McArthur

McArthur’s work rate often goes unnoticed in the Palace midfield and his partnership with Yohan Cabaye will be important in this fixture.

LWB: Patrick van Aanholt

Though this will be only van Aanholt’s second appearance for Palace, there will be a desire to prove himself against his former club who he left earlier this week.

Our Landlord expects many attacking runs from the Dutchman who will be a constant threat down the left-hand side.

RW: Wilfried Zaha

His second game back since the AFCON, Zaha is looking to put to bed claims from former team-mate Brede Hangelaand that he is ‘lazy’ by continuing his strong form for Palace this season.

ST: Christian Benteke

Fresh from his goal against Bournemouth on Tuesday, Benteke will be looking to add to his tally against a Sunderland defence which has leaked goals so far this season.

LW: Jason Puncheon

Our Landlord expects Puncheon to keep his place over Andros Townsend who doesn’t seem to be Big Sam’s cup of tea at the moment.