Premier League preview: Blackpool v West Brom
Before the start of the season, this fixture would have sounded like one to avoid at all costs.
Two newly-promoted clubs widely-tipped for relegation, scrapping it out on a cold, wet Monday night at Bloomfield Road. Hardly one to set pulses racing, right?
Well, wrong actually. Almost three months into the new season and that presumption could hardly be further away from the reality.
Both Blackpool and West Brom have excelled themselves in the opening months of the new Premier League campaign, causing shocks on an almost weekly basis.
The Seasiders announced themselves to the top-flight on the opening day of the season with a stunning 4-0 away victory against Wigan Athletic, and since then, have also sealed eye-catching victories over Newcastle United, as well as Liverpool at Anfield.
Meanwhile, the Baggies, who were promoted with Blackpool last season and are renowned for their history of bouncing between the top two divisions, have been simply sublime. Under September's Manager of the Month, Roberto Di Matteo, the West Midlands outfit have exceeded all expectations.
With four wins to their name already – including a remarkable 3-2 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in September – and hard-fought draws against the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United at Old Trafford, it seems likely that West Brom will finally cast aside their 'boing, boing' tag by remaining inside the Premier League come May.
Along with Newcastle, West Brom and Blackpool's introduction this August has undoubtedly upped the standard of England's top league. None of the trio are close to being inside the drop zone at this stage of the season – although that could well change over the forthcoming months – and all look more than capable of keeping their heads above water next spring.
Perhaps the most surprising thing is that they've achieved their fine starts with attractive, attacking football. The Baggies proved a match for both Arsenal and Manchester United on away territory with the same crisp, direct, free-flowing style of play that served them so well in the Championship last season; while Blackpool travelled to Anfield and passed Roy Hodgon's side off the pitch.
It's a credit to both clubs that they've not been content to sit back in any of their matches. "Parking the bus" doesn't seem to be a phrase that either Di Matteo or the outspoken Ian Holloway are prepared to entertain, which in turn, has ensured that each and every one of their games this season has been a spectacle.
The teams have already played each other twice in 2010, and if this evening's fixture is anything like those two, it should be a thriller.
Back in February, a Roman Bednar brace helped edge West Brom closer towards promotion in a 3-2 victory at Bloomfield Road; while in the corresponding fixture at the Hawthorns in March, a controversial late penalty from Graeme Dorrans secured the Baggies their second consecutive 3-2 win over Blackpool in as many months.
Despite those two recent defeats, with Charlie Adam in their ranks, Blackpool always have a chance. The influential midfielder's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent days - linked with a big-money move to Liverpool – but if he can focus and produce his best form, then West Brom face a difficult night.
Meanwhile, Albion will be hoping their talisman will be fit for this evening's clash. Peter Odemwingie picked up the September Player of the Month award thanks to a series of classy performances, and he should be fit to play his first match since the 1-1 draw against Bolton last month.
It's 40 long years since the pair last played each other in the top-flight, but tonight's fixture could rank as one of the most entertaining clashes between the two if their impressive recent form is anything to go by.
One to avoid at all costs? Miss it at your own expense.
Prediction: Blackpool 2 West Brom 2
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