da stake casino： With their feint hopes of European football slipping away and a top-half finish almost in the bag there isn’t much left for West Brom to aim for this season. Last week’s shortcomings against Arsenal means it is one win in five matches for Albion, who haven’t dropped below ninth all season. That is testament to the job Steve Clarke has executed so brilliantly in his debut campaign at the Hawthorn reins and his eyes are already trained on next season. The decision to leave top scorer Romelu Lukaku on the bench for almost an hour against the Gunners, although he’s expected to be pitched into action to pummel a Newcastle side whose confidence is severely splintered.
da brdice： The Magpies have endured a tormented week after being walloped by North East adversaries Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby six days ago. Which means Alan Pardew’s men and their ensuing reaction be under intense scrutiny in the Midlands. Pardew and his players are still licking their wounds almost a week on and the Magpies boss will hope to channel that throbbing distress into a backlash. They’ll need to improve on an away record that has seen them take just four points from the last available 33 away from St James’ Park. Poiints are exactly what Newcastle require to allay the anxiety set soaring after their Black Cats mauling.
Team News
Youssouf Mulumbu sits out for West Brom as he serves the second of a three-game ban. Peter Odemwingie will also miss the game after he picked up a knee injury.
Newcastle will travel to the Hawthorns without number one goalkeeper Tim Krul after he was ruled out for the season with a dislocated shoulder. David Santon and Cheick Tiote (hamstring) along with Sylvain Marveaux (groin) are also missing.
What the managers said…
“There’s a long time gone since then and things have changed. Newcastle have gone out in the January window and spent quite a large amount of money to improve their squad and make sure they stay in the Premier League. I think they need one more win to secure their place in the league, so it will be a tough game for us. I think Newcastle are better now than when we played them earlier this season.” Steve Clarke thinks Newcastle are a better side than the one West Brom faced earlier this season (Birmingham Mail)
“I don’t think it’s ever not going to affect the rest of our season, a defeat like that. We just have to make sure that in these last five games we put that right. It’s about us putting performances on to the end of this season that help to ease the memory of this defeat.” Alan Pardew aims for a quick recovery after Newcaste’s Tyne-Wear derby horror show (Sky Tyne & Wear)
Pre-match Statistic: Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse has scored three and assisted one in two Premier League appearaces against West Brom
Prediction: West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Newcastle United
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