English Premier League - Preview: West Bromwich Albion versus Blackburn
The midweek fixture will be approached by both teams looking to forget their Boxing Day defeats, and acquire a point or more at the Hawthorns. West Brom succumbed to defeat at the hands of Bolton, while Blackburn Rovers lost to Stoke City at Ewood Park.
Both teams are level at twenty two points, with West Brom on the twelfth spot, a position above the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rovers-c40385.
The Baggies have a game in hand compared to the nineteen fixtures that Blackburn have played so far this season. West Brom have enjoyed a memorable season, having acquired victories at Arsenal and Everton this season and managed to accumulate a record number
of points at the club since being promoted to the Premier League.
The West Brom manager, Roberto Di Matteo is reported to have shown interest in signing a striker in the January transfer window and will be looking to capitalize on his team’s exceptional run in form to sustain a position in the top flight for the next season.
Meanwhile, the new Blackburn boss Steve Kean will be looking to impress the Rovers faithful after being appointed the new manager from his previous position as a first team coach at Ewood Park. Kean will be looking to improve his squad, having a reported
five million pounds to spend in the upcoming January transfer window.
Kean voiced his interest in securing the Blackburn reigns for a lengthier period of time than previously intended. The new owners at Ewood Park recently cited their faith in the manager’s ability and have appointed him in the position until the end of the
season.
Kean must improve his side’s performance as he has obtained only one point from his previous two games in charge. The Rovers rest on the thirteenth spot in the table which is six points above the detrimental relegation zone.
Statistics show that Rovers have been the more successful team when these two sides have locked horns, in a total of 108 instances in the Premier League. The Ewood Park faithful have seen their side emerge victorious 44 times, as opposed to the 33 times
that West Brom have defeated Blackburn.
There is much reason to suggest that the midweek fixture may end up in a draw, as have four of the previous six matches between these two sides including both the matches in 2008/09 season before West Brom was relegated to the Second Division. Blackburn
last won at the Hawthorns in a Premier League fixture in 2002, when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dwight-Yorke-c11775 and Damien Duff both scored to ensure their side a 2-0 victory.
West Brom have suffered a slight stint in form, having six defeats under their belt from their previous nine Premier League matches. The Baggies will be looking to improve their defensive record, having acquired only two clean sheets in their previous sixteen
matches on home turf, both while playing against Sunderland.
Kean’s team have been defeated in their last three away games in the league, and have let in 13 goals in those three matches. Statistics suggest that the Rovers may score in this fixture, as they have found the back of the net in every game besides three
this season.
The West Brom side will be without Chris Brunt for this fixture, as the midfielder was booked for the fifth time this campaign and Jerome Thomas may fill in the gap, if the player recovers from his illness. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peter-Odemwingie-c29794 is suffering from an ankle injury
but could still star against the Rovers.
Blackburn have no fresh injury worries ahead of the match, and manager Kean will have to decide whether to play http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-c9006 Samba, after the player cited his desire to play elsewhere.
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