West Brom vs Everton preview
Saido Berahino will look to continue playing his way back into the hearts of West Brom fans against Everton at the Hawthorns on Monday night.
Berahino’s relationship with Baggies fans hit an all-time low after the transfer window closed. The young striker reacted to the club’s decision to reject bids from Tottenham on deadline day by tweeting that he would never play for them again.
A sample survey of about 2,000 West Brom fans revealed that over 70 per cent of them wanted Berahino to be demoted to the under-21 side. Manager Tony Pulis has since been working extremely hard to repair the damage calling Berahino a “naughty child” that has to be forgiven.
Pulis’ decision to involve the youngster against Aston Villa proved to be inspired as Berahino scored the winner in that crucial Midlands derby. He was rested in the Capital One Cup defeat at Norwich, but will be eager to perform at the Hawthorns again.
Everton could ruin Berahino’s plans because they have been impregnable on the road so far. Roberto Martinez’s charges have clean sheets in all their away games this season.
The Toffees are currently sixth in the table and there is genuine belief in their camp that they will properly challenge for Champions League qualification this season.
Tim Howard has been at Everton for almost a decade now. In that time he has been involved in team that came close to securing Champions League football as well as reaching the FA Cup final, but he recently revealed that the current Everton side is the most talented squad he has ever been involved in.
If the Toffees are to transfer the potential of that gifted squad into league success then they have to be consistent and win at places like the Hawthorns.
West Bromwich Albion team news
- Ben Foster (ACL knee) is the only injury absentee for the Baggies.
Everton team news
- John Stones was taken off in the League Cup victory over Reading in midweek with a knee injury. He is a doubt for this game.
- Seamus Coleman is also a doubt with a hamstring complaint.
- Kevin Mirallas is suspended.
- Bryan Oviedo, Tony Hibbert (both knee), Steven Pienaar, Muhamed Besic (both hamstring), Tom Cleverley and Leighton Baines (both ankle) are all ruled out.
West Brom vs Everton prediction
Pulis made 10 changes in midweek, so his regulars will be fresh for this game. West Brom might start in a 4-3-3 formation which switches to a 4-5-1 formation when defending.
Berahino and James McClean could be the wide forwards, dropping into midfield to track back with Everton’s full-backs when defending, leaving Salomon Rondon as the lone striker.
Claudio Yacob, Darren Fletcher and James Morrison could be the central midfielders completing the five across midfield.
Roberto Martinez could set his charges in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Gareth Barry and James McCarthy as the central midfielders, while Ross Barkley assumes the number 10 position.
Steven Naismith and Arouna Kone could continue as wide attacking midfielders, supporting Romelu Lukaku.
The Toffees will probably dominate possession and push play into the Baggies’ half as if they were the home team. Brendan Galloway and possibly Coleman will bomb on from full-back positions to provide crosses for Lukaku and Kone.
Pulis will have his charges ready for that. The Albion will be well-drilled and looking to frustrate Martinez’s men, while threatening on set-pieces and on the break.
Score prediction
West Brom 1-2 Everton
