Crystal Palace v West Brom: The Baggies have pulled up a chair in the last chance saloon

The Baggies head to Crystal Palace tomorrow with their hopes of staying in the Premier League having been dealt a hammer blow last weekend.

It wasn’t just fans and pundits who felt the visit of Newcastle was a must-win game, boss Sam Allardyce said it as well.

But while Albion’s performance warranted a victory, they were ultimately held to a point by Steve Bruce’s side.

Heading into that match, there was some faint hope the Baggies could actually go on and secure a great escape.

Victory in that game would have meant they’d now be six points from safety.

Instead, they are eight points behind with an inferior goal difference.

The bookies certainly see the draw with Newcastle as a hammer blow to Albion’s survival hopes.

They are now 1/25 on with some betting companies to be relegated this term.

And that means this trip to Crystal Palace has gone beyond must-win.

It is no longer just points at stake. Albion have to win just to give fans hope for the rest of the campaign.

Because at the moment, it feels as though everyone is resigned to being in the Championship next year.

Allardyce has some intriguing decisions to make heading into the game against Roy Hodgson’s side.

The truth is Albion are playing well.

They are now a side that is defensively strong having registered three cleans sheets in their last four outings.

And their recent performances warrant a lot more points.

The Baggies have done enough to beat Manchester United, Burnley and Newcastle in the last few weeks.

They were also hugely unfortunate to be beaten at home by Everton.

Allardyce believes the standard of those performances will continue from now until the end of the campaign.

“The team now has a DNA,” the boss said last week.

But while they are playing well, it’s also fair to say they are struggling to create clear-cut chances.

Matheus Pereira has seen his form dip in recent weeks.

Matt Phillips has impressed with his work-rate and endeavour but his end product needs to be better.

And striker Mbaye Diagne has missed the majority of chances that have come his way – with his strike against Manchester United still his only goal.

Allardyce, of course, has options in those attacking areas.

Robert Snodgrass has been hugely unfortunate to lose his place in the side after picking up a knee injury.

Grady Diangana is back again having been unwell and scored in a Premier League Two game against Burnley on Monday.

Callum Robinson also found the target in that match.

And all three of those players will be desperate for a chance to prove they can add goals and creativity to the side.

Elsewhere, Albion are highly likely to be unchanged from the last three games.

Dara O’Shea’s impressive performances mean he will keep his place at centre-back ahead of Semi Ajayi.

Darnell Furlong, Kyle Bartley and Conor Townsend have nailed down the other positions in the back four, while Okay Yokuslu, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Conor Gallagher will be the three central midfielders – with Allardyce describing them as his team’s ‘backbone’.

Palace enter this game with an eight-point cushion over 18th-placed Fulham.

It is highly unlikely they will be dragged into the dog fight – but a win here will take them to 37 points and effectively secure their survival.

For Albion, though, this is another massive opportunity to get a win – especially when you look at the fixtures that follow.

Chelsea (a), Southampton (h), Leicester (a), Villa (a) and Wolves (h) are their next five games.

The drinks have been poured in the last chance saloon.

Albion need to beat Palace just to ensure they can enjoy another round.