Norwich and Palace can punish Baggies and Bluebirds

Cardiff City have won each of their last three home games with Crystal Palace in all competitions. Tony Pulis’ Eagles are soaring five points above the bottom three coming into this trip to the Welsh capital thanks to a famous result against Chelsea.

It is the Bluebirds, under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, that start as 13/10 favourites for victory here, however. Palace taking all three points back to Selhurst Park is a 9/4 chance, with a draw at 11/5.

Players turning out against their former clubs is a major subplot to this quintessential six-pointer. Mark Hudson, a former Eagles captain, may be sidelined for hosts Cardiff, but there is a more recent south London favourite in their side.

Wilfried Zaha made little impression on David Moyes at Manchester United, despite having the immortal tag of Sir Alex Ferguson’s last signing. If he plays down the right against Palace, he will be facing a wrong-footed left back in Joel Ward.

Should Solskjaer give him instructions to go round the outside, Zaha has the potential to hurt Palace here. Back him at 10/3 to find the target anytime.

The Eagles have two former Bluebirds men in their ranks to boot. Wales midfielder Joe Ledley (7/2) and forward Cameron Jerome (15/8) will want to give the Cardiff crowd a timely reminder of what they once had.

Pulis and Palace beware Iceland international Aron Gunnarsson. He has netted on each of his last two appearances against this team. Odds of 7/1 say the deep-lying midfielder can do so again.

Another surprise Bluebirds scoring source has been the supplementary set piece goals of skipper Steven Caulker. He is a 13/2 shot to add to his five Premier League strikes – only Jordon Mutch and Fraizer Campbell have netted more.

Eagles defender Damien Delaney is something of a good luck charm, though, after keeping seven career clean sheets against Cardiff. Palace have secured shut-outs at fellow strugglers Sunderland and West Brom, so odds of 9/4 another here are attractive.

Thought now turn to Pepe Mel’s Baggies, who travel to Norwich City knowing they won on three of their last four league visits. The Canaries are in fine form at Carrow Road in this calendar year, as they are unbeaten on their own turf.