Match Build-Up
There will be a fresh sense of belief and optimism on both sides of the tunnel at the Hawthorns tomorrow as West Brom and Tottenham Hotspur prepare to do battle. The hosts are unbeaten under new manager Tony Pulis and go into the game on the back of consecutive league clean sheets against Hull City and Everton, sandwiched by two FA Cup victories over lower league opposition, a run which has seen them climb to 14th in the table and earn them a place in the FA Cup last 16.
Spurs, meanwhile, will be buoyed by Christian Eriksen’s late winner in midweek against Sheffield United, a goal which sent them to Wembley for their third League Cup final in eight years. Back in the league, Spurs are just three points off 4th place after a fantastic run of late, losing just one of their previous eight fixtures, and will hope that Harry Kane can extend his excellent recent form in front of goal, scoring six and assisting three in his last eight Premier League matches.
Tottenham will take little respite from their strong record at the Hawthorns, a ground where they have not lost in their last four visits, and will be fully aware that stats mean nothing as soon as the first whistle blows after the reverse fixture against West Brom earlier this season, when a solitary James Morrison goal gave the Baggies all three points at White Hart Lane for the first time in 30 years.
The game will also have a battle within the war between two of the most promising English strikers currently in the game. Saido Berahino leads the goalscoring charts at West Brom this season with nine goals thus far, whilst Harry Kane has been making a splash in the English national pool of players, with his inspiring man of the match performance in the 5-3 victory over Chelsea the standout performance in his breakthrough season at White Hart Lane.
Team News
The Baggies were boosted by the arrival of Callum McManaman from Wigan Athletic earlier this week, and the new £5m signing is available for selection immediately as Pulis looks to pull West Brom even further away from the bottom three. An knock sustained to reserve goalkeeper Boaz Myhill in the FA Cup last week is unlikely to trouble Pulis’ thinking, with Ben Foster expected to return to the nets regardless, but Jonas Olsson remains sidelined despite a return to training, due to a lack of match fitness after four months out injured. Youssouf Mulumbu is also unavailable due to international duties at the African Cup of Nations.
There is better news on the international front for Tottenham, with Nabil Bentaleb returning to the squad after Algeria’s surprise early exit in the same competition, whilst Nacer Chadli is also available again after a spell away due to a family bereavement. This gives Mauricio Pochettino more or less a full squad to choose from as Spurs go into the beginning of a busy few weeks, with the return of Europa League football imminent and a Capital One Cup final to look forward to.
Prediction: West Brom 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur