Paul Merson predicts result of West Bromwich Albion’s first game under Alan Pardew

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Paul Merson is tipping Crystal Palace to win away to West Bromwich Albion.

SkySports pundit Paul Merson believes new West Bromwich Albion manager Alan Pardew will get off to the worst possible start.

Pardew was appointed this week after the Baggies played the last two games under caretaker boss Gary Megson, following Tony Pulis’ sacking.

This weekend they take on fellow strugglers Crystal Palace in a ‘six pointer’.

Merson believes Palace will win at The Hawthorns, predicting misery for Pardew in his opening game.

He told SkySports he believes West Brom will play directly into Palace’s hands and is calling a 2-1 away win.

Merson said: “This is a shocking game for Alan Pardew to start with.

“Pardew will have to do something different to Tony Pulis – he can’t just put 10 men behind the ball and be negative.

“He’ll need to come out and play. I can’t think of a worse side to do that against than Crystal Palace – I know they’re at the bottom but they have pace that can hurt you on the counter-attack like Wilfried Zaha, Andros Townsend and Christian Benteke. Away win.”

West Brom’s two recent draws have lifted them two points clear of West Ham, and they sit in 17th position.

But after struggling desperately early on, Palace are just three points behind the Baggies, and an away win would be a huge result for Roy Hodgson’s men.