Alan Pardew feels the pressure at West Brom and other Premier League talking points

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  • Manager Alan Pardew is under pressure at West Brom.

    The battle at the bottom takes precedent on Saturday as the Premier League winds back into action.

    West Brom and Huddersfield dare not lose their relegation six-pointer, while defeat for Brighton or Swansea could see them sucked back into danger.

    Here are the major talking points:

    West Brom v Huddersfield (19:00)

    A game of huge significance awaits at the bottom of the Premier League’s table.

    Hosts West Brom have been trapped in the mire all term, not even the appointment of seasoned ex-West Ham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew – famed for his short-term uplifts in form – creating an improvement. Under him, they’ve earned a miserly one win in 13 top-flight matches to sit rooted to the bottom.

    Can another poor result be withstood by the 56-yearold, with the club already making changes at boardroom level? Plus, the competition’s second-lowest scorers will again be without the talents of Liverpool loanee Daniel Sturridge up top because of predictable injury.

    Yet opponents Huddersfield are not without worry. Before they beat Bournemouth last time out, they were winless in eight games.

    A 14th loss for West Brom could see them cut adrift with 10 games left. If results go against the promoted Terriers, they will fall into the drop zone.

    Prediction: 1-1

    Liverpool v West Ham (19:00)

    A chance for Liverpool to build some serious momentum is presented by the return to Merseyside of West Ham manager David Moyes.

    The Reds are undefeated in their last 15 home matches in the Premier League – including a heart-pounding 4-3 victory against champions-elect Manchester City – and are unbeaten in four games, winning three times.

    Complacency is an issue that manager Jurgen Klopp is aware could prevent them leapfrogging second-placed Manchester United, with West Brom and Burnley claiming draws thus far this term at Anfield.

    A familiar foe is set to greet them in the opposition dugout. Moyes manned city rivals Everton from 2002-13, but his record against Liverpool is disappointing, winning just five times in 30 attempts.

    The Hammers should head north in improved mood, however. They have lost just two of their last 11 matches in the top flight, but were mauled 4-1 in the reverse fixture.

    Prediction: 3-0

    Brighton v Swansea (19:00)

    The form guide provides much better reading than the table for both of these clubs,.

    In all competitions, Brighton are unbeaten in five matches and have seen record-buy Jurgen Locadia break his duck at the first time of asking.

    Opponents Swansea have been rejuvenated by the appointment of Portuguese manager Carlos Carvalhal and haven’t lost in 10 fixtures. They also haven’t conceded more than once during this spell and should welcome back England Under-21 centre-back Alfie Mowson after a spell out injured.

    Yet the pressures of being within reach of the dreaded relegation places – Brighton are just two points off third-bottom Southampton, Swansea a single point – could tell.

    Will either side go for broke, or play out for a point? With both defences ironclad in respect to being struggling sides, don’t expect much from their first top-flight meeting at the Amex.

    Prediction: 0-0

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