Tag Archives: Baggies

Baggies to deepen Villa troubles

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The Premier League season is at ’squeaky bum time’ and while there are a number of clubs who have nothing to play for there are still plenty who do. The relegation battle and the race for a top-four finish get tighter by the week but Saturday’s matches could go some way to deciding both situations.

Sunderland v Bolton 3pm

Bolton did their hopes of escaping the relegation zone the power of good on Tuesday night when they won one of their two games in hand at Aston Villa. Having fallen behind, Owen Coyle’s men showed great spirit to bounce back to win the game 2-1, lifting them to within a point of escaping the drop zone.

While the Trotters appear to be rallying, Sunderland are drifting towards mid-table mediocrity after a dreadful recent run of form, winning just one of the last nine in all competitions. The goals have dried up for Martin O’Neill’s men and their failure to score in the last four games will be music to the ears of Bolton’s leaky defence.

Traditionally Sunderland have got the better of Bolton, winning six of the last seven against the Trotters. However, if there was ever a time to end that run it must be Saturday for Bolton. Sunderland are 10/11 to record another win over Bolton in the match betting, with the draw 13/5 and the Trotters priced at 3/1.

West Brom v Aston Villa 3pm

If there were any doubts about Aston Villa being in a relegation battle then Tuesday’s defeat to Bolton put an end to those. Alex McLeish’s side have won one of the last 13 matches and find themselves just three points outside the relegation zone. There are calls for McLeish to go but at this stage of the season you have to ask whether there is much point.

Saturday’s derby match looks as though it could deal another blow to Villa’s survival hopes, with West Brom probably relishing the chance to deepen their neighbours gloom having made sure of another season in the top flight. West Brom have won the last two games 1-0 and a repeat of that scoreline at 6/1 might be worth an investment. Under 2.5 goals at 5/6 looks a safe bet as well given how few goals both teams score, with Villa having only scored more than one goal in a game once since February.

West Brom are 23/20 for the win – a solid price despite their home record – while Villa are 5/2 and the draw is 23/10.

Wigan v Newcastle 3pm

Two of the form sides in the Premier League clash at the DW Stadium on Saturday, with both still having plenty to play for. Wigan looked dead and buried in February but 12 points from the last 18 has catapulted them out of the relegation zone, albeit only by a point. The Latics produced a similar run at the end of last season to secure their safety but stumbled at Fulham last week.

Newcastle are likely to provide another bump in the road for Roberto Martinez’s men having won their last six on the bounce. Alan Pardew’s team is purring at the moment and with no new injury concerns it is likely to be the same starting XI that blew away Stoke last weekend.

Newcastle have the talent to get the better of Wigan and in Papiss Cisse they have a striker who is bang in form, the Senegal hitman scoring 11 times since he arrived in January. He is 4/1 to grab the first goal, with a Newcastle win on offer at a generous 6/4 in the match betting given their recent run. Wigan are 15/8, with the draw 12/5.

Elsewhere, punters might be tempted to back Stoke to beat Arsenal at 7/2, given how much the Gunners hate going to the Britannia Stadium. However, the Potters have nothing to play for and look to be planning their summer holidays, while Arsenal are desperate need of the points in the bid to secure third.

Norwich could prove decent value if you fancy them to beat Liverpool at 3/1. Neither side has much to play for in the league, with the Reds focusing on the FA Cup final. Kenny Dalglish’s men were unlucky to lose to West Brom last weekend but you wonder whether they’ll be up for the fight at Carrow Road on Saturday teatime.

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Home a comfort for Baggies

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The exciting Premier League action continues on Sunday with West Brom taking on Newcastle at the Hawthorns (West Brom 5/4, draw 23/10, Newcastle 23/10 Match Betting). Both sides still have plenty to play for with the Baggies needing a few points to guarantee their Premier League survival while the Magpies are still in the hunt for a European place.

After years of yo-yoing between the Championship and the top flight, Roy Hodgson’s men now look to be an established Premier League side and after the 11th-place finish last season, once again look on course for another solid mid-table finish.

A lot of their progress has been attributed to the impact of experienced manager Hodgson, so much so that he’s now being touted as a possible candidate for the England job.

The Baggies go into the game in solid form, having lost just one of their last five games and are sure to be confident on their home turf after consecutive wins at the Hawthorns.

The player to look out for will be winger Chris Brunt (11/4 to Score Anytime) who, after missing most of the season through injury, is now back to full fitness. The Northern Irishman has the extra quality that not many other of the Black Country side’s players have and his performance will certainly have a say on the outcome of the match.

Newcastle have recently suffered a blip in their form but claimed a vital three points last time out against Norwich and will be looking forward to their trip to the Midlands.

Alan Pardew’s men have been the surprise package of the season and still hold out hopes of clinching a place in European place, boosted by Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Wigan at Anfield on Saturday.

Their brand of attacking and exciting football has wowed fans this campaign and with West Brom also preferring to play the ball on the ground, the game is sure to be a cracker.

One of the Magpies’ weaknesses over the last few seasons has been their inability to find the net. However, this has changed this term, mainly down to the impact of summer signing Demba Ba (3/2 to Score Anytime).

The Senegalese forward disappointed last term while at West Ham, but has shone on Tyneside, scoring 17 goals in all competitions.

The 26-year-old is likely to line-up alongside compatriot Papiss Cisse on Sunday and both will be looking to make the difference in what could prove to be a vital match in the outcome of their season.

The match could turn out to be one of the games of the weekend but home advantage should see the Baggies through, although it looks certain be close (West Brom 8/1 to win 2-1).

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Baggies to extend Toon slump

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There are seven Premier League matches taking place on Wednesday, with five of the top seven teams in action. While the two Manchester clubs attempt to open up a gap at the top, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle will all be looking to keep pace in the chase for Europe.

Newcastle v West Brom (19:45)

After an outstanding start to the season, Newcastle have hit a wall in recent weeks and have gone five games without a win. Demba Ba is still posing a threat up front, but injuries at the back have had a big impact.

West Brom, meanwhile, looked a much-improved team in victory at Blackburn on Saturday and their away form, with three wins and two draws in eight games on the road, suggests they can make it a miserable Christmas on Tyneside.

Suggested Bet: West Brom to win @ 10/3

Man City v Stoke (19:45)

Played eight, won eight is the record at Eastlands for City so far and Stoke appear unlikely to stop Robert Mancini’s men. A crucial win over Arsenal, to bounce back from defeat at Chelsea, will have eased the pressure and the leaders should have too much for the Potters.

Stoke will be buoyed by their win at Wolves on Saturday, and it was their third away win of the season. But the Potters have not won at City since 1997 when the pair were in the second tier.

Suggested Bet: City to win 3-0 @ 13/2

Fulham v Manchester United (20:00)

United have not enjoyed their trips to Craven Cottage in recent years, losing twice and drawing once in their last three visits. Sir Alex Ferguson’s men seem determined to right the wrongs of their Champions League exit with Wayne Rooney ending his recent goal drought with three goals in the last two games.

The Cottagers should be good enough to avoid a relegation tussle, but the continuing speculation over Bobby Zamora’s future could be an unwelcome distraction. Martin Jol’s men may struggle to break down the United backline, which has re-grouped under the leadership on Rio Ferdinand.

Suggested Bet: Draw HT/Man Utd FT – 10/3

Aston Villa v Arsenal (19:45)

Villa have major issues at the moment and their Christmas schedule doesn’t do them any favours, with fixtures away to Stoke and Chelsea to come this month. Alex McLeish’s men have scored just two goals in their last five games.

Arsenal were a bit unlucky to end their unbeaten run at Man City last weekend, but will have taken heart from the display. Robin van Persie is likely to cause the Villa defence problems, while a lack of pace in the Villa back four could be exploited by the likes of Walcott, Gervinho and co.

Suggested Bet: Arsenal to win @ 8/11

Wigan v Liverpool (8pm)

Latics have proved the critics wrong again in recent weeks and will go into this game full of confidence, especially if they look at their recent record against the Reds. Liverpool have failed to win in their last three visits to the DW Stadium – with last season’s clash finishing in a 1-1 draw.

Kenny Dalglish’s men have responded to defeat at Fulham with back-to-back wins and not conceding a goal against Aston Villa and QPR. The Reds’ away form has been excellent this season and that is likely to tip the balance in their favour.

Suggested Bet: Liverpool to win @ 8/15

Everton v Swansea (8pm)

These are both struggling for goals, but the pressure will be on Everton to come up with a win after salvaging a draw against Norwich on Saturday. Both need strikers in the transfer window and January can’t come soon enough for Moyes and Rodgers.

Suggested Bet: Draw HT/Draw FT @ 9/2

QPR v Sunderland (8pm)

It’s nervy times at both clubs at present and both managers are counting down the days until the January transfer window opens. The two teams would probably be happy with a share of the spoils, especially after weekend defeats, and that looks the most likely outcome.

Suggested Bet: Draw @ 23/10

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Gunners to exact Baggies revenge

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For those of us who prefer a Saturday morning lie-in the early Premier League kick-off between Newcastle and Everton might be too early, but there are still five traditional 3pm games which promise fireworks.

Arsenal v West Brom

The Baggies pulled off one of the shocks of the season last year to inflict a 3-2 defeat on the Gunners at the Emirates and a repeat 2-3 scoreline can be backed at 50/1.

But before punters get too carried away it must be pointed out that win was West Brom’s first at Arsenal since 1983 when Billy Joel was topping the UK charts with ‘Uptown Girl’.

West Brom have problems up front for this one and will come up against an Arsenal side still buzzing from last weekend’s demolition job at Chelsea.

Last season: Arsenal 2-3 West Brom

Prediction: In-form Robin van Persie to score two or more @ 10/3

Aston Villa v Norwich

A couple of seasons ago these two sides were separated by a couple of divisions but now they are just a point apart in the Premier League – with the Canaries a place better off in eighth spot.

It’s debatable whether or not the men from East Anglia will be in the top half when the season ends but they have already enjoyed wins over Sunderland and Bolton and held Liverpool at Anfield.

Factor in creditable performances in losing causes against Chelsea and Manchester United and it is easy to make a case for Paul Lambert’s men.

However, Villa have been hard to beat this season and the most the Canaries can surely hope for is to plunder a point.

Last season: N/A

Prediction: A 2-2 draw pays out at a tasty 14/1

Blackburn v Chelsea

Poor old Steve Kean can’t seem to shake off the boo boys this season thanks to a record of played 10, won one, drawn three and lost 6.

Amazingly that one victory came against Arsenal – albeit a shambolic one – and the pressure will not be easing this weekend when Chelsea come to town.

Back-to-back defeats in the Premier League for the Blues is simply unheard of since the Roman Abramovich takeover of 2003 but that is the record they take to Ewood Park courtesy of London derby defeats at the hands of QPR and Arsenal.

But they are too good a side to not bounce back against a Rovers outfit who are currently even money to be playing in the Championship in 2012/13 – although a clean sheet might be hard to come by in Lancashire.

Last season: Blackburn 1-2 Chelsea

Prediction: Chelsea to take it 3-1 @ 10/1

Liverpool v Swansea

The Reds may be sitting in sixth spot in the table after 10 games but it has been a slow-burning start to the season for Kenny Dalglish’s men whose unbeaten home record masks three draws from their five games in front of the Kop.

Norwich and Sunderland are two of the clubs to have taken a point home with them which underlines how hard Liverpool sometimes find it to meet expectation levels.

In contrast, away wins at Arsenal, Everton and West Brom have kept them in with a shout of the top four.

This weekend represents a great chance to take three more points against the worst travellers in the Premier League so far this season, with promoted Swansea shipping 14 goals in five games on the road to date.

Last season: N/A

Prediction: Liverpool to win 3-0 @ 7/1

Man Utd v Sunderland

History tells us Steve Bruce has never beaten his old boss in 17 attempts since becoming a manager and that statistic is underlined by the fact the former Red Devils star has used more clubs than Tiger Woods in attempting to pull the feat off.

It would be easy to simply put this one down as a banker home win – for good reason as Sunderland have not won at Old Trafford since 1968 – hence odds of 1/4 about a United victory.

United also know any slip-up will play into current league leaders Manchester City’s hands so there are enough factors at play to back up the form book as Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates 25 years at the helm.

Last season: Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland

Prediction: United to win 4-1 @ 12/1

Suggested treble: Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool

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Baggies out to end Stoke hoodoo

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It has been a painful weekend for West Bromwich Albion as they have had to sit back and watch Black Country rivals Wolves and West Ham both win to leave them in second-bottom spot in the Premier League table.

Wolves thrashed Blackpool 4-0 at Molineux, while Avram Grant’s Hammers pulled off a surprise 3-1 win against a resurgent Liverpool to boost their battle to beat the drop.

Roy Hodgson’s men will get their opportunity to jump back out of the bottom three at Stoke on Monday evening, but the omens are not good as the Baggies have not won in the Potteries since 1982, while they have lost all three Premier League matches against Tony Pulis’ side to date without scoring a goal (Stoke 10/11 To Win).

Albion should be boosted by the return of key men Marek Cech and Youssef Mulumbu from respective groin and hamstring problems for the trip to the Britannia Stadium.

And Hodgson will hope they can inspire his team to a first win (3/1 Away Win) in five games as they could move up to 16th with three points, while a fourth draw (5/2 Draw) in their last five league outings would be enough to get them out of the relegation places.

Stoke will not have any sympathy for the Baggies’ plight and Pulis will be looking for his side to make it eight wins from nine in their last nine league meetings.

A win for the hosts will move them into the top ten, eight points clear of the relegation places and within touching distance of safety for another season.

Winger Matthew Etherington is rated doubtful for the game as he struggles to overcome a back injury, while Abdoulaye Faye is struggling with a hamstring strain.

Jon Walters is expected to keep his place in the side if he fails to recover in time while striker Mamady Sidibe will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon last week.

John Carew snubbed West Brom to join Stoke on loan from Aston Villa in January and the Norwegian hitman will no doubt look to show the Baggies what they missed out on by grabbing a goal (9/2 First Goalscorer).

Looking at the game, everything points to a fifth successive home win for Stoke in all competitions and an eighth straight away defeat for West Brom.

However, if Hodgson can get his men fired up from the word go, they may profit from the fact Stoke are consistently slow starters to games, which is reflected by the statistic that they have yet to score a goal in the opening 15 minutes of a game so far this term.

The Potters are much stronger in the second half of games and have scored six goals later than the 90-minute mark – more than any other team in the Premier League.

Therefore, it could be that West Brom start well but are pushed on the back-foot as the game progresses, which is worth considering when pondering the outcome.

Prediction: Stoke 2 West Brom 1 @ 7/1
Value Bet: Half Time/Full Time: WBA/Stoke @ 25/1

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Blackburn, Baggies, Blues, Bolton

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Bet on the Premier LeagueThere are only two games over Sunday and Monday in the Premier League but both ties should be interesting contests.

Blackburn host West Bromwich Albion at Ewood Park on Sunday as the Baggies look to go level on points with Rovers (Blackburn 6/5, draw 23/10, West Brom 23/10).

New Rovers signing Jermaine Jones is likely to make his debut for the club, having moved on loan from Budesliga side Schalke.

The American midfielder should give a lift to Blackburn in the middle of the park alongside David Dunn who returns from injury.

Rovers will still be without Australian midfielder Brett Emerton, who is away on international duty, whilst Youssuf Mulumbu and Graham Dorrans will miss the match for West Brom through injury.

The Baggies have not managed to win a game at Ewood Park in the last 20 years and were beaten 3-1 last time these two sides met back in December.

Blackburn, with Jones looking to get forward from midfield, will be a dangerous prospect and should win this one, with Roque Santa Cruz looking to get on the scoresheet for the first time since his return to Ewood Park.

Chelsea look like they have started to turn their fortunes around and they will want to make it three wins on the bounce when they travel to the Reebok Stadium to face Bolton on Monday (Bolton 9/2, draw 14/5, Chelsea 8/13).

The Blues will be hoping to have their captain John Terry fit for the clash in the North-West, as the former England captain is recovering from a minor back injury.

Frank Lampard is also a doubt for the defending Premier League champions with a calf strain.

These two players are vital for Chelsea and their absence could make a big difference as to who will get the three points from this one.

Bolton were unlucky not to get a point at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season when Didier Drogba was offside before Florent Malouda slotted the ball home to give the Blues a 1-0 win.

This is going to be a real test for Chelsea to see if they have put their poor Premier League form behind them.

If Lampard and Terry are absent on Monday then Bolton could make life very difficult for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who will be hoping to close the gap between themselves and the top of the table.

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Baggies to turn screw on Keane

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West Brom (Evens in the match betting) head to Ipswich in great heart after a 4-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park – following a performance manager Roberto Di Matteo described as ‘incredible’ – and should end the Championship’s final hope of lifting the Carling Cup (Ipswich 5/2 to win, 12/5 the draw) – providing the weather holds up.

That win matched the Bagies result in the fourth round at Leicester City, ending a five-match winless run since that game in the process, and the players should have the confidence to win on their travels and book their first semi-final place since 1982.

West Brom will be without midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu as he picked up a two-match ban following his second sending-off of the season at Everton at the weekend, while Jonas Olsson and Ishmael Miller are available through injury, but that should not matter against a team struggling for form in a lower division while contending with a whole host of absentees themselves.

The Baggies have certainly made an impression on their return to the top flight, beating Arsenal and Manchester City in what was a good start to the campaign, and although they suffered a recent blip, that win over Everton was just the tonic going into the Carling Cup quarter-final, having already beaten City in the competition as well.

Ipswich have hit a wall in the Championship, suffering four consecutive losses culminating in the 4-1 defeat at arch-rivals Norwich City on Sunday, and now lie just four points above the relegation zone.

The Tractor Boys have lost eight of their last 12 games and a number of injuries are not helping under-pressure manager Roy Keane, who is having to cope without Gareth McAuley, Mark Kennedy, Connor Wickham, Luke Hyam and Tom Eastman.

Defender Damien Delaney is also suspended for the West Brom visit, while goalkeeper Marton Fulop is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury in Sunday’s debacle at Carrow Road.

Di Matteo’s men can take advantage of the injury crisis at Portman Road (4/5 Over 2.5 goals) but they have kept only one clean sheet on the road this season (7/10 Both teams to score) – and that was at Leyton Orient in round two of this competition.

There will be another West Midlands side in the semi-finals as Birmingham City (11/8 in the match betting) host arch-rivals Aston Villa (2/1 to win) also on Wednesday night, but this looks a tougher match to call.

Villa have had the better of the derby in recent times, unbeaten in seven games and winning six of them, and the 2/1 looks tempting, but they have struggled for form under new boss Gerard Houllier.

The Villans have only won one of their last nine games in the Premier League – a 3-2 win over a much-changed Blackpool side – and despite a superb performance in a 2-2 draw against Manchester United, back-to-back defeats have seen the club slip below City in the table.

The Blues have struggled for goals this term and have found it hard to win games (drawing eight) but they have made themselves tough to beat at St Andrew’s – winning three, drawing three and losing just once.

They have home advantage for the fourth time in the Carling Cup and could just make it count, particularly as boss Alex McLeish is set to field a stronger side than in previous rounds.

There will be no Alexander Hleb as he has been ruled out with a hamstring problem, not that he has set the world alight so far in his loan spell at the club, but top scorer Craig Gardner (9/1 First Goalscorer) could return following an ankle problem.

The teams have met this season and fought out a goalless draw at Villa Park and another tight encounter should be expected with under 2.5 goals a favourite at 4/6.

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