Palace fans at the Tavern thoroughly enjoyed their Saturday night after they beat relegation rivals Middlesbrough, bouncing back after their consecutive defeats to Stoke and Sunderland.

The Eagles ran out 1-0 winners against the Boro at Sellhurst Park, courtesy of a Patrick Van Aanholt wonder strike. This victory lifted Big Sam and his men out of the relegation zone, temporarily climbing over Leicester to sit in 17th place, before the Foxes stunned Liverpool.

However, the Tavern’s landlord knows that Palace fans cannot afford to rest on their laurels just yet as they must regroup to go again on Saturday as they travel to the Midlands.

Their opponents, high-flying West Brom.

The Baggies sit in eighth place and as Paul Merson said on Sky Sports last week, “if you take away the top 7, they’re top.”

Tony Pulis’ men have been unbeaten in their last five Premier League games and have a real chance in the race for European football, being only four points behind Everton.

A win for Crystal Palace will keep their hope for safety alive but they have a job to do against a team trying to prove their place in England’s elite.

With that in mind let’s take a look at the STARTING XI that Palace should play if they want to record a second win in a row at The Hawthorns….

GK: Wayne Hennessey

The Welsh international has started the most games for Crystal Palace in between the sticks this season and looks set to play his 18th game for the Eagles this campaign.

The 30-year-old kept a clean sheet against Middlesbrough last weekend and has proven this season that his experience is giving Palace fans results.

He has kept summer signing Steve Mandanda out since early November, after their fourth consecutive loss to Burnley.

Although the Welshman has kept just three clean sheets since his starting presence – he is the only Palace keeper to stop the opposition this term.

RB: Joel Ward

Since Sam Allardyce has started to manage Crystal Palace the wing back position has been revitalised.

Joel Ward has faced competition from Martin Kelly throughout the season, but has managed to nail down his place in Big Sam’s starting XI.

The ex-Bournemouth player not only has more Premier League experience then Martin Kelly, but has also been party to all three clean sheets Palace have had this season.

Martin Kelly’s season under Sam Allardyce has not been a successful one, the ex-Liverpool player has just 2 Premier League appearances under the new boss.

Therefore it shows that Ward is favoured by Sam Allardyce, and by Pardew by wearing the traditional no.2 jersey for the Eagles.

Fans at the Tavern have been impressed by Ward’s defiance this season and is one of the Palace faithful’s favourites.

CB: Mamadou Sakho

Palace fans at the Tavern were feeling hopeful when Sakho linked up with the London club, signing on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season on January’s deadline day.

The Frenchman started his first game in 10 months after being frozen out of Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Eyebrows were raised when Sakho was to make his starting debut on Saturday however he proved to be the standout player for Crystal Palace, the BBC even stated that Sakho was their Man of the Match.

This for good reason, according to the stats by Opta, Sakho completed 23/25 passes, made his only tackle count and completed 6 clearances.

Sakho’s strength will prove to be a big asset when coming up against the likes of Rondon, McAulay and Dawson who are all threatening from set pieces.

It will be a big test for Sakho to defend against these physical players.

Palace fans at the Tavern are hoping that the Frenchman keeps up this form in their attempt to survive the drop.

CB: Scott Dann

Although he was benched during the win against Middlesbrough, Dann should be given a starting place against West Brom this Saturday.

The Eagles captain stands tall at 6’5 and would be great if he is fully fit to counteract the strength and power of Venezuelan powerhouse Salomon Rondon.

The Eagle’s captain would also be a major asset as he provides goals to his game, a department of which Mamadou Sakho is not gifted in. So far Dann has bagged 4 goals this season, one more than James Tomkins.

Having the captain back in the side would also prove to strengthen Palace’s morale. With him and Sakho at the back Palace will have two strong figureheads with experience.  Palace fans at the Tavern are drooling at the idea of a Dann-Sakho partnership.

LB: Patrick Van Aanholt

The Dutchman turned into Palace’s hero on Saturday when he opened his account for the club, his goal proving to be the winner against Middlesbrough.

Van Aanholt should also be employed in the West Brom game due to the fact that he has already notched up a goal against them this season. He scored a late equaliser when playing for Sunderland earlier on in the campaign.

The landlord at the Tavern thought that signing Van Aanholt would be great due to him being their only suitable left back since Papa Souare’s car accident.

This has proved true as the Dutchman’s power and pace has meant he has already grabbed a goal in just 4 games.

Not bad for a left back.

CDM: James McArthur

Allardyce elected not to start McArthur in Saturday’s game against Boro, however Boro do have the worst offensive record in the league, scoring just 19 goals.

This allowed Allardyce to pursue a more offensive option playing just one central defensive midfielder.

With the likes of Nacer Chadli,  Chris Brunt and James Morrison all in contention to start on Saturday, Palace are going to need all the defensive reinforcements they can play.

McArthur has played consistently this season and also has goals to offer, putting 5 in this season.

The Irish international could be key in the centre of the park guiding the other player who looks set to start on Saturday with his Premier League experience..

CDM: Luka Milivojević

Palace fans at the Tavern were unsure of Milivojević when he signed for Palace on January’s deadline day for a reported £13m.

Though in his first game of the season, despite losing 1-0 to Stoke City, stats from Opta state that Milivojević completed 30/40 passes. He also made 4 interceptions.

In this game he was partnered by James McArthur.

However in his second game for the club, Milivojević completed fewer passes, this could be due to the fact that he was a solitary figure and was the only CDM on the pitch for Palace.

There is no doubt that the Serbian international has the strength and passing ability needed to be a success at Sellhurst Park. Although, until he has more experience, it would perhaps be a better idea for Allardyce to pair the Serbian with someone as experienced as McArthur.

CM: Yohan Cabaye

Cabaye hasn’t had the greatest of seasons for Crystal Palace, with some Palace fans at the Tavern questioning the Frenchman’s performances this season.

Cabaye has scored just 2 goals this campaign and his assist in the weekend was his first in 48 games, his last coming against West Brom back in 2015.

This could be due to Crystal Palace’s form, although it could also be due to the player himself.

However the landlord at the Tavern thinks that now with the defensive signings made in the January transfer window, Cabaye can once again shine for Crystal Palace.

He is one of few players in the struggling Premier League teams that can just turn the game around through a few passes.

Big Sam is going to hope that Cabaye can keep his form for the incoming games.

RW: Andros Townsend

Although Andros Townsend has scored just 1 goal this season, in Palace’s 4-1 demolition of Stoke City, he has the potential to score from any position at anytime.

He has also notched up 2 assists, the most recent in Palace’s 2-0 win against Bournemouth.

Townsend seems to be more of a favourite to Allardyce.

His other option, Jeffrey Schlupp, is used as more of an impact substitute though has failed to make a real impact for either Leicester or Crystal Palace.

Palace fans at the Tavern are wondering when Townsend will really light up Sellhurst Park, and they are hoping this starts with the Eagle’s away trip to the Hawthornes.

LW: Wilfried Zaha

When Zaha left the Palace squad to link up with the Ivory Coast for the African Cup of Nations he was greatly missed.

Palace failed to score in the Premier League games that he missed and they won just one game, an FA Cup 3rd replay against Bolton. In his first game back, Palace ran out 2-0 winners against Bournemouth.

He has scored 4 goals in the Premier League this season and all, bar the 5-4 loss to Swansea, proved to be influential, picking up points after scoring in the other 3.

He would be a much needed threatening source for goals and assists as Palace look to beat West Brom this weekend.

He has scored more than any other attacking midfielder this season so Palace fans at the Tavern are thinking that Zaha must start.

ST: Christian Benteke

The Belgian may not be as prolific as he was 2 years ago for Aston Villa, although the 6’3 striker has still struck 13 goals this season.

Benteke has however been privy to going through dry patches.

He came up blank during a 6 match period between mid December and mid January.

However he stands a good chance against West Bromwich Albion in what fans at the Tavern expect to be a physical match.

Sam Allardyce should field Benteke to match fire with fire.

This due to the strength the West Brom defence possesses. Benteke would be able to easily outcompete with the likes as well as defend from corners.

Loic Remy is also in contention to play even though the Frenchman has not provided a goal yet for the London club.

However, he could prove to be a handy impact sub that Allardyce could use to shift the game from a physical battle to a pacey counterattack.

So Palace fans, what do you think? Are there any players you’d start in the game against West Brom on Saturday?