West Brom vs. Newcastle
Venue: The Hawthorns
Kick off: 1PM
Two sides battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League face off this afternoon as West Bromwich Albion welcome Newcastle United to The Hawthorns.
West Brom are eight points behind Newcastle, having also played a game more, and quite simply need to win this contest if they are to have a realistic chance of beating the drop.
Albion’s 1-0 home loss against Everton on Thursday – Richarlison scoring the only goal of the game just after the hour mark – brought an end to their three-game unbeaten run.
Draws against Manchester United and Burnley, followed up with a 1-0 win at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, provided some hope of another great escape being possible.
While the loss to Everton has dented those prospects somewhat, Sam Allardyce’s men could end this weekend within six points of safety should they overcome Newcastle.
The Magpies are under immense pressure heading into this contest, having won just two of their last 15 Premier League games in a run stretching back to mid-December.
Drawing 1-1 with Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend did at least bring an end to United’s two-match losing streak, but Steve Bruce will know that more is required.
Newcastle produced an improved performance that saw 13 different players attempt an effort on goal, which is the most for a Premier League team since Arsenal in April 2018.
However, having already lost top scorer Callum Wilson until the end of March, United are now without fellow attackers Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin until next month.
The problems continue to mount for Bruce, though a victory at The Hawthorns will lift a lot of weight off his shoulders ahead of games with Aston Villa and Brighton.
United won the reverse fixture 2-1 at St James’ Park in December, but West Brom have won seven points from their last four Premier League home games against Newcastle.
A point will surely not be enough for Albion if they are to make up the gap on 17th place, while Newcastle will also see this as a chance to put three points on the board, setting up what should be a lively encounter.
West Brom possible XI: Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Townsend, Snodgrass, Maitland-Niles, Yokuslu, Gallagher, Pereira, Diagne.
Newcastle Utd possible XI: Dubravka, Murphy, Lascelles, Clark, Lewis, Hendrick, Hayden, Shelvey, Fraser, Willock, Joelinton.
