Chris Hughton expects a survival rival to go on a great run - as another big Premier League weekend looms.

Albion are seven points clear of the drop zone and most sides have just six games to go.

But Hughton can see at least one of the teams scrapping it out at the bottom putting together an unexpected sequence of good results as the stakes rise.

The Albion boss said: “It’s still the same group of teams with six games to go.

“There are so many points to play for.

“Somebody is going to pull out some surprise and good results that you didn’t expect – they always do.

“Which team will do that, I don’t know.

“We have to look at it but we will certainly need points to make sure we stay up.”

Albion will kick-off at Crystal Palace on Saturday already knowing how Southampton, currently 18th, have fared.

Saints host Chelsea at 12.30pm and a win would leave the Seagulls four points ahead of the bottom three while dumping Palace into the drop one as they walk out for their derby.

Conversely, if Southampton lose, Albion would have the incentive of opening a ten-point buffer over the relegation places, at least until Stoke visit West Ham on Monday night.

Former West Brom boss Alan Pardew yesterday gave evidence in support of Jay Rodriguez as the Baggies striker contested a misconduct charge arising from their game against the Seagulls in January.