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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