West Brom will hope to extend their Premier League unbeaten run to four games as they welcome Everton to the Hawthorns on Monday night.
After two 1-0 wins against Aston Villa and Stoke City as well as a hard-fought goalless draw against Southampton, the Baggies are in good defensive form.
Everton themselves are building on a strong start. Unbeaten in five games (three in the league and two in the League Cup) is a great building block but the stalemate against Swansea showed they can be blunt up front.
West Brom have the same worries. In their last four games, they have only scored four goals, something that will be concerning Tony Pulis.
The Baggies struggled in midweek, crashing out of the League Cup at the hands of Norwich City 3-0, but it should be acknowledged that it was a rotated team.
If the Baggies’ squad players struggled to impress their manager, Everton’s players were vying for a Premier League place. Gerard Deloufeu scored in the cup tie against Reading and was impressive.
Key Battle – Saido Berahino vs John Stones
Berahino is back. He returned to the field after his ‘saga’ and scored the winner last weekend. He got between two former England internationals to flick in the only goal of the game and on Monday he will face a tougher test.
In John Stones and Phil Jagielka, the current England pair, he will have to be at his best to snare another goal.
Both he and Stones were subject to transfer bids over the summer and unlike Berahino, Stones played through the rumours. The defender has been in scintillating form this season despite the obvious mental strain.
Now, with both seemingly focused on the football, the battle will be raging on the pitch. The key part of this will be whether the striker can use his blistering pace against the two defenders. So far this season, Stones has kept Diego Costa under wraps, so will be confident that Berahino can be kept quiet too.
But this is the first time Berahino has played at the Hawthorns since his time out of the side and should be pumped to proves his fans right for their ‘forgiveness’.
He played out wide in the last game against Villa but expect him to return to the front line in this match. If Pulis does decide to keep him in the winger position, then he will attack the channels, proving a threat for Stones.
If he is kept quiet, Everton will have a great chance of winning the game.
Team News
West Brom will name a similar team to the one that won at Villa Park last weekend, although Ben Foster, who was threatening for a starting place, is now out for the rest of the year. Apart from him, Pulis has a full-strength squad to pick from.
West Brom’s Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Myhill (GK); Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Brunt; McLean, Fletcher; Yacob, Morrison, Berhaino; Rondon.
There will be selection headaches for Roberto Martinez after some of his rotational options impressed in midweek. The only long-term injuries for the Toffees are Mohammed Besic, Tom Cleverley, Steven Pienaar and Leighton Baines. John Stones did limp off in the Cup win but the manager is hopeful of his return to action on Monday, while Seamus Coleman is in some doubt with a hamstring strain. Kevin Mirallas will miss out through suspension.
Everton Starting XI (4-3-2-1): Howard (GK); Browning, Stones, Galloway, Jagielka; McCarthy, Naismith, Barry; Barkley, Kone; Lukaku.
Head-to-Head
In 151 meetings, West Brom hold the slight advantage with 66 wins. Everton have won this fixture 58 times with the points shared on 37 occasions.
Previous Meeting
Kevin Mirallas’ penalty miss cost Everton two points as West Brom frustrated the home side in a 0-0 draw. West Brom were unable to create many chances, something that has hampered them in recent weeks.
Prediction
This will be an interesting game. West Brom’s defence will have a big say and have shut out some good attacking sides under Pulis, including Southampton two weeks ago. The defence has rarely changed this season and it looks well drilled, able to withstand most things. However, Everton will be hoping for an improved performance up front as they drew a blank last weekend.
On paper, Everton have the stronger side, but the Hawthorns is becoming a fortress for the Baggies, so the draw is the likeliest result.
West Bromwich Albion 1 Everton 1
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
