July 7 2004

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace will complete their Premiership pre-season preparations by hosting Sampdoria at Selhurst Park on Saturday, August 7, kick off 3pm, by Joseph O'Shea.

The Italian outfit just missed out on European football after finishing eighth in Serie A last season, and will provide a stern test for manager Iain Dowie's side a week before their top-flight opener at Norwich.

Iain Dowie said: "It's a good friendly and it will be nice for the fans. There's a bit of a historic link with Lombardo, so it's something we'll look forward to."

Former Eagle Atillio Lombardo helped the Blucerchiati to four trophies in six seasons alongside the likes of Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini before playing for and briefly managing Palace in 1998.

After a two match tour of Northern Ireland, Palace return to face Woking, Ipswich, QPR and Portugese giants Sporting Lisbon as they get ready for life in the Premiership.

Dowie added: "We have got Sporting Lisbon, Ipswich away which will be tough and QPR away which will be tough, so the are a good range of games for me.