Palace v Bristol City

Selhurst Park, Saturday 3.00pm

Story so far

It's not a rare occurance for a team promoted from League 1 to have a good first season in the Championship. We've already seen it with Luton and Colchester in recent seasons.

You can't really say that City are having a good season though - more an exceptional one. They've topped the league on numerous occasions, albeit briefly, and they've done well to maintain their lofty position.

Bristol have a good record away from home, and Selhurst hasn't been the easiest of places for Palace to pick up a win.

It's a game of two teams very much in form so expect a tight game with a set piece or two being the deciding factor.

Team news

Shaun Derry's loan expires after this match so the midfielder plays his last game for Palace unless a permanent deal can be arranged.

Right-back John Halls - on loan from Premier League side Reading - is set to start.

Danny Butterfield (groin) is doubtful, while medium-term injured stars Paul Ifill (hamstring) and Tony Craig (shoulder) are still out.

Quotes

Michael McIndoe

"All good runs have to come to an end at some time and there's no reason why we shouldn't be the team to end this one.

"Palace will expect to win because they're at home, but we're confident playing away and there's no pressure on us.

"We have to remember that we're in second place and there on merit. Palace are sixth and cannot catch us even if they beat us on Saturday.

"There's nothing to be afraid of. We're good enough away from home to go to London and prove a point. We can make a statement."

"Neil Warnock knows the Championship inside out and he's made a massive impact at Palace. They will be well organised, hard to break down and very confident in front of their home crowd.

"But we've been to big stadiums and played against big clubs this season and proved we can handle it."

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Bristol City - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
2nd	27	13	9	5	48

Full league table

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Bristol City - current form

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
5	2	1	2	6	8

Full form table

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Our home record v Bristol City

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
34	21	6	7	70	39

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Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
12/12/1998	League	Bristol City	1 - 1	Crystal Palace
14/11/1998	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 1	Bristol City
22/02/1994	League	Crystal Palace	4 - 1	Bristol City
21/08/1993	League	Bristol City	2 - 0	Crystal Palace
01/11/1988	League Cup	Bristol City	4 - 1	Crystal Palace

All time results

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One to watch

Michael McIndoe

I find it quite astonishing that McIndoe hasn't played more than a couple of seasons at this level.

He did well for Wolves before being snapped up by Barnsley and now the Robins have taken him under their wing.

McIndoe is a tricky left winger with fantastic close control and a brilliant left foot. He should score more goals than he does but it's unlikely that his finishing can be greatly improved at this stage of his career.

Whether he's whipping in crosses for Trundle or Showunmi, Speroni will have a number of headers to be tested with unless our defence are on top of their game.

Ref watch

J Moss

Last meeting

Crystal Palace 2 - 1 Bristol City (14/11/1998)

Palace Goalscorers: Bradbury (5) Jansen (89)

City Goalscorer: Anderson (35)

C Palace: Digby ,Austin (Tuttle ,45 ) ,Jihai ,Petric ,Burton ,Foster ,Lombardo ,Rizzo (Curcic ,58 ) ,Bradbury (Morrison ,77 ) ,Jansen ,Mullins

Bristol C: Welch ,Murray ,Bell ,Hutchings ,Shail ,Carey ,Edwards ,Thorpe ,Akinbiyi ,Andersen ,Brennan Subs not used Dyche,Brown,Goodridge,

Bookings: Burton ,Mullins (C Palace) Edwards (Bristol C)

Attendance: 17821

Referee: R D Furnandiz (Doncaster)

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