Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough (15:00 GMT)

When Sam Allardyce was appointed as Crystal Palace manager, people expected the Eagles to soar up the Premier League. It has not happened.

"The problem is a lot deeper than I expected it to be," Allardyce told Football Focus. "It has gone on for a considerable amount of time.

"They became fragile in 2016 and lost its confidence. The club and players decided to change its style - more attacking - but they kept conceding goals and could not win a game.

"I can guide the players and we have to respect the point and not throw it away. Don't lose to teams around you as well. We are in a fight of seven and we have to top that.

"Failure would be a very difficult for me to take. I have not failed in the Premier League since I took over at Bolton in 2001. I cannot just click my fingers and wave a magic wand. The players have to overcome their fears and produce on the pitch."

Historically, if you need a manager to make a quick impact at a club, Big Sam tends to be your man.

Sam Allardyce has enjoyed impressive starts to life at previous clubs, including Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham.

So when Crystal Palace decided Alan Pardew was no longer needed in December, it made sense that the Londoners turned to the quick-fixer in their bid to remain in the Premier League.

It was a swift return to the familiarity of club football for Allardyce, 62, who had suffered the ignominy of seeing his spell as England boss end after one game.

So why have the Eagles, now 19th in the table and two points from safety, not benefited from the traditional Big Sam bounce?

Two changes for Crystal Palace after defeat against Stoke last time out -one particularly significant as defender Mamadou Sakho makes his debut after signing on loan from Liverpool on the last day of the January transfer window. He replaces Damien Delaney, while Yohan Cabaye comes in for James McArthur.

Palace XI: Hennessey, Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt, Milivojevic, Townsend, Cabaye, Puncheon, Zaha, C Benteke.

Middlesbrough restore the big guns after beating Oxford in the FA Cup. Seven changes in all with Alvaro Negredo, Cristhian Stuani, Gaston Ramirez and Victor Valdes among those restored.

Boro XI: Valdés, Bernardo, Ayala, Gibson, Fabio, Forshaw, de Roon, Stuani, Ramírez, Downing, Negredo.

>>2
use ur hands and wash them after..?

>>3
I did that once when I was in a dire situation. No matter how much you wash your hands, you can't get the smell out.

>>2
Get the big shits out and then wash off in the shower

Leicester into the relegation zone.

Thank you Big Sam.