They started the season with a disappointing draw at the newly promoted Middlesbrough, but things have gotten a lot worse since then. They lost 4-1 at home to Manchester City before knocking Stevenage out of the League Cup.
A 1-0 defeat at Everton followed before Spurs came to town and put another four past them at the bet365 Stadium. Both of these heavy defeats can be partly explained by the quality of their opposition, but a 4-1 loss to Crystal Palace that they suffered last weekend was just shocking. To make matters worse, Hull traveled to Stoke in midweek and knocked them out of the League Cup with a 2-1 victory.
This leaves Stoke out of the cup and winless in the Premier League, with their one point putting them rock bottom of the table with by far the worst goal difference in the league.
West Brom have started the season comparatively well, beginning with a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace. They were defeated at home to Everton and then knocked out of the League Cup at Northampton Town on penalties. Their next points came in a drab goalless draw at home to Middlesbrough before they lost at Bournemouth.
However, last weekend saw their usually frail attack spring to life as they look advantage of West Ham’s terrible defensive form and beat them 4-2 at the Hawthorns. Their early exit from the League Cup has given them a week to prepare for this clash as well, which can only be seen as an advantage.
Stoke’s defence this season has been truly awful. They have conceded 14 goals in their five games in the Premier League, and eight of those have come in their two home games. West Brom have netted at least once in six of their last nine away games in the Premier League as well, so I expect them to find the net on Saturday.
Stoke have managed to score in five of their seven competitive games this season as well though and have only failed to find the net in two of their last nine home games in the Premier League. This makes odds of 10/11 for Both Teams to Score look attractive, so I’m backing that along with a 2-1 win for West Brom at 11/1.
The last 5 matches of Stoke City
18.09.2016 Crystal Palace - Stoke City 4:1 L
10.09.2016 Stoke City - Tottenham Hotspur 0:4 L
27.08.2016 Everton FC - Stoke City 1:0 L
20.08.2016 Stoke City - Manchester City 1:4 L
13.08.2016 Middlesbrough FC - Stoke City 1:1 D
The last 5 matches of West Bromwich Albion
17.09.2016 West Bromwich Albion - West Ham United 4:2 W
10.09.2016 Bournemouth - West Bromwich Albion 1:0 L
28.08.2016 West Bromwich Albion - Middlesbrough FC 0:0 D
20.08.2016 West Bromwich Albion - Everton FC 1:2 L
13.08.2016 Crystal Palace - West Bromwich Albion 0:1 W
Prediction Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion
The predicted result is a 2-0 win for West Bromwich Albion.
Head To Head Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion
West Brom have won three, drawn one, and lost two of their last six meetings with Stoke, but all of their wins have come in the last three encounters.
Lineup Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion
Stoke City starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Given; Johnson, Shawcross, Cameron, Martins Indi; Whelan, Allen; Walters, Bojan, Arnautovic; Bony
West Bromwich Albion starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Galloway; Fletcher, Yacob; Phillips, Chadli, McClean; Rondon
Tag :
English Premier League
