Premier League preview: West Brom v West Ham
West Ham United travel to manager-less West Bromwich Albion for a relegation six-pointer at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:36:29 +0000
<![CDATA[Former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton appears set to take over from Roberto Di Matteo, who was dismissed by the club after their 3-0 loss to Manchester City last Saturday.
But Hughton’s appointment has not been confirmed and regardless of whether he is appointed before Saturday, caretaker manager Michael Appleton, the first-team coach, will take charge for the hugely-important fixture.
Both sides enter the match in terrible form, with West Brom having won just four of their past 19 Premier League fixtures and West Ham a fraction worse, having won four of 20.
West Brom’s good start to the season increased expectation at The Hawthorns, but Di Matteo could not get his squad to continue their early season form, leading to growing frustration and his eventual dismissal.
In contrast, West Ham started the season terribly but have been slowly improving, having lost just three of their last nine Premier League fixtures.
The likes of Victor Obinna, who has scored five goals in his last three games and January transfer window signings Robbie Keane and Demba Ba have improved results at Upton Park.
When you add the aforementioned trio to the likes of Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne, West Ham possess the quality up front to stay up.
But the Hammers will have to stop conceding so many goals, with the fact that they have kept just three clean sheets all season confirming their defensive frailty. Unbelievably, West Brom have only kept one.
The reverse fixture earlier this year ended in a 2-2 draw with Spanish defender Pablo Ibanez rescuing a point for West Brom with his 71st minute equaliser at Upton Park.
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West Ham will be missing several first-team regulars, with Keane, Matthew Upson and James Tomkins all unlikely to feature, while German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger will continue his stint on the sidelines.
West Brom are not as hampered with injury, with Marek Cech the only regular to be in doubt with a groin strain.
The results of this fixture will have huge implications, with West Ham having the potential to exit the relegation zone with a win, while West Brom can climb as high as 14th if they manage to get all three points.