Alan Pardew: 'Sam Allardyce teams hard to beat'

Alan Pardew has admitted that he never expects an easy match when facing a side managed by Sam Allardyce ahead of Crystal Palace's game against Sunderland in the Premier League.

Allardyce took charge at the Black Cats last month after Dick Advocaat quit the side, and takes his team to Selhurst Park tomorrow evening.

The Eagles manager told BBC Sport: "I never fancy my chances against a Sam Allardyce team. He's got a knowledge and a respect from me that I will take into the game.

"If anyone is going to resurrect their season it will be Big Sam. He's a great choice because he knows the division. I know every time I come up against a Sam Allardyce team I know they have what they are trying to achieve in place and he has a team that know how to play Premier League games, he's going to go and try and win the game."

Sunderland sit 19th in the table ahead of the match, while Palace are currently 10th.