Sunday Premier League – Manchester United vs West Bromwich Albion Preview
April 15th 2018 16:00 – Old Trafford
Recent Form (League):
Manchester United: WWWWW
West Bromwich Albion: LLLLD
Manchester United’s influence on the Premier League at both ends of the table can continue this Sunday at Old Trafford. Fresh after denying Manchester City the title last week, this week they could condemn West Brom to relegation.
United’s second-half performance at the Eithad Stadium may have been as good as they have produced under Mourinho’s management, as they came from two goals down to claim a fifth-straight top-flight win in dramatic style. That is their best run of the season, and has included three victories where they have come from behind.
Still not realistic title challengers despite the result last week, United have consolidated second place ahead of Liverpool, and will look to continue widening the gap between themselves and their arch rivals.
Despite almost constant criticism of Jose Mourinho’s tenure this season, the 71 points that United have accrued with six games to go is already their best total across a single season since the 2013 retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. Someone else who has been under the microscope recently is Paul Pogba. He duly arrived at the party in a big way against the Citizens with the kind of match-winning performance which made him English football’s most expensive signing. United will be hoping this is the start of something special, rather than a flash in the pan.
Time will be called on Albion’s eight-year tenure in the top flight should they lose to United, and Crystal Palace, Huddersfield Town and Swansea City all win. However, it seems unlikely that all three of the relegation contenders will collect maximum points, as they are each at home to a club outside of the top eight.
Even if they survive this weekend, a 10-point deficit with only five games to go means that West Brom are doomed and the club is already planning for next season in the Championship following the departure of manager Alan Pardew. Former Baggies defender Darren Moore is currently holding the reins as they wait for this miserable season to finish so they can start the rebuilding process.
West Brom do have a decent record against United having won three of the last nine meetings, while the Red Devils have not done the double over their guests since the 2011/12 season. But in all honesty despite some historical hope I think the result is inevitable with the Baggies only taking two of the last 30 points available to them.
Prediction: United have kept a league-high 16 league sheets, 11 of which have been at home, and have not conceded a single goal when hosting a team currently in the bottom half of the table, so a home win to nil is the obvious choice.
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