Palace v Bristol City

Selhurst Park, Saturday 12.15pm

Story so far

Wow. Six months ago, the play-offs were nothing more than an unrealistic dream. Survival was more realistic. Just.

Palace have come a long way since Neil Warnock's arrival - we've gone from relegation fodder to favourites (from the play-off lot) for promotion.

Bristol City are living another dream. From being promoted and hoping for survival, they've gone one further than previous newly-promoted teams to do well. They didn't fancy hoping to sneak into the play-offs - they've been going for automatic promotion all season.

Unfortunately for them, their recent form had taken a sudden dip, leaving the final automatic spot for Stoke to snatch.

Both clubs have done fantastically well to end the season in the play-offs. Both teams are there on merit and six months ago, both teams would have grabbed the play-offs with both hands.

Neither of us expected to be here so the pressure is more or less off for both teams. Hopefully that means an entertaining couple of matches. We'll have to wait and see on that one, though.

Palace have been made favourites but there is no guarantee of victory. It'll be hard-fought with a few minutes of quality likely to seperate the teams.

Tomorrow the first half begins. Patience and passion will be needed to give Palace a chance. Let's go out there and fight for every ball, question every decision from the officals and give Bristol something to be nervous about. They'll do that on Tuesday, so let's get in first.

Team news

Winger Victor Moses should have beaten off his thigh injury after he was forced off against Burnley last weekend.

Striker James Scowcroft is available after recovering from a hamstring strain and may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Matt Lawrence won't play due to his hernia operation, along with midfield duo Neil Danns and MARK KENNEDY.

Bristol City midfielder Marvin Elliott should be fit after shaking off a knock, while Lee Johnson (heel) could also play.

Quotes

Roy Hodgson

"I can't think of a better achievement in my career. To go from second bottom in November into the play-offs, never mind winning them, is a great effort from all the lads.

"It's been a great challenge. We haven't spent much money and brought the kids through as no one wanted to play for us, so it's remarkable.

"The last day of last year was a trying time for me when I went down with Sheffield United and I wouldn't put anyone though the 12 months I have had.

"But we will have a normal week this week and they are two league games as far as I am concerned."

Gary Johnson

"To take this club from its first season in the Championship straight into the Premier League would be a massive achievement for the players, the manager, Keith Millen and the staff.

"There's so much riding on my shoulders as the manager. I have to pick the right team, prepare everyone properly and sort the man-management side of things.

"It will be an unbelievable feat if we can do it, go all the way. Like we always say, we mustn't leave any stone unturned and make sure we give it every chance.

"The referee will need to be strong and I'm pleased that we've got two full-time oficials."

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Bristol City - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
4th	46	20	14	12	74

Full league table

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Bristol City - current form

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
5	1	1	3	5	5

Full form table

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Our home record v Bristol City

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
35	22	6	7	70	41

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Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
18/02/2008	League	Bristol City	1 - 1	Crystal Palace
19/01/2008	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 0	Bristol City
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

All time results

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One to watch

Nick Carle

Probable line-up

Morrison
Moses	Watson	Derry	Soares	Sinclair
Hill	Fonte	Hudson	Butterfield
Speroni

Ref watch

M J JONES.
Assistants: J Collin and P Quinn.
Fourth official: R J Booth.

Last meeting

Bristol City 1-1 Palace

Monday February 18 2008

Bristol City: Basso, Orr, McCombe, Fontaine (Vasko 84), McAllister, Sproule (Byfield 69), Johnson, Elliott, Carle (Trundle 69), McIndoe, Adebola

Subs Not Used: Weale, Skuse

Booked: Carle

Goals: McCombe 90

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Hudson, Hills, Lawrence, Soares (Scannell 69), Hill, Derry (Fonte 85), Watson, Fletcher, Kuqi (Scowcroft 79)

Subs Not Used: Morrison, Ifill

Booked: Hill, Lawrence, Soares, Scowcroft, Hudson

Goals: Hills 61

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