Saturday Premier League- West Bromwich Albion vs Liverpool Preview
April 21st 2018 12:30 – The Hawthorns
Recent Form (League)
West Brom: LLLDW
Liverpool: LWWDW
West Bromwich Albion will look to make the impossible a reality in their bid for Premier League survival, as they welcome Champions League semi-finalists Liverpool to the Hawthorns.
After suffering nine straight defeats under former manager Alan Pardew, caretaker boss Darren Moore has installed some organisation and confidence in a side that still looks destined for Championship football next season despite securing four points in the last two games.
The Baggies will be looking to end a five-match winless streak in front of their own fans. In fact, the West Brom faithful have only witnessed two home wins so far this season. However, they have scored in the last seven home games, providing good entertainment but no points.
Their claimed their first clean sheet since early January at from Old Trafford, but they can expect their defence to be under more pressure as Liverpool hold a much bigger goal threat. West Brom have already met Liverpool twice this season and are so far undefeated. They claimed a 0-0 draw in the league at Anfield back in December and pulled off a shock 3-2 win at Anfield in the fourth round of the FA Cup, so there is room for hope.
The Mersyside club will have one eye on the Champions League semi-final first leg next week, but also known that two wins from the remaining four games will guarantee passage to Europe’s elite club competition for back-to-back seasons’ for the first time since 2007/08.
Liverpool have netted in 82% of their away games this season and have only failed to win one of their seven away games against the current bottom eight.
Red’s boss Jurgen Klopp will have to use the full depth of his squad with Joel Matip, Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Joe Gomez and Rhian Brewster all missing. Unfortunately for West Brom, the epic front three of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are all fit to play. Klopp has openly stated that he will not be making wholesale changes in league fixtures while there is still something to play for unless forced to, so bad news for Baggies fans.
Prediction:
Despite the miracle of Old Trafford West Brom are bottom of the table for a reason. What’s more, Liverpool still need to win league games to ensure a top four finish, and despite the Champions League game coming up, the Reds will be too strong for the home side.
Back the away win with over 2.5 goals at Betfair.