After the disappointment of the defeat at Bolton the Baggies welcome Blackburn Rovers, a club in apparent turmoil following the departure of Sam Allardyce.
West Brom lost the game at Bolton after missing a host of chances, primarily through misfiring frontman Peter Odemwingie. Blackburn also went down on Boxing Day at home to Stoke so both teams will be itching to get some points on the board in the festive period, otherwise they could be facing a New Year struggle against relegation.
Vital Quotes:
Roberto Di Matteo knows that playing two games in two days will be difficult:
‘It’s going to be hard for the players. To fully recover in the space of 48 hours will be impossible, but every club is in the same boat.
We just have to do our best, try and raise ourselves for Tuesday and take advantage of our home ground and the backing of our supporters.
Hopefully, they’ll be behind us like they always are and if we could get some points, it would cap off a wonderful 2010.’
West Brom Team News:
Chris Brunt will miss out having received a fifth yellow card of the season and Jonas Olsson will again miss out through injury which means that Scharner is likely to continue in his place. Ibanez could come in for Tamas who did not have his best game against Bolton. Jerome Thomas should be fit and ready to deputise for Brunt.
Player to watch: Peter Odemwingie
After missing so many chances at Bolton Odemwingie will be e determined to add to his goal tally against Blackburn.
Blackburn Rovers Team News:
Chris Samba is available again for Rovers but Phil Jones and Jason Roberts are both ruled out through injury.
Player to watch: Morten Gamst Pedersen
Pedersen is capable of scoring spectacular goals so he will have to be watched closely.
Match Facts & Stats
Form guide (last six league matches)
ALBION: LLWWLL
BLACKBURN: WLWLDL
Ref Watch:
Phil Dowd is in charge of this game. Dowd is unfussy so hopefully he will let the game flow.
Match Prediction:
3-0 to the Baggies
Next Fixtures:
Next up are Manchester United on New Year’s Day with a 12.45pm kick off time.