Tony Pulis and his West Bromwich Albion charges welcome the visit of Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday, as the Baggies aim to achieve a third successive win in recent weeks.
As for visiting Leicester, the Foxes have lost just once this season and currently find themselves in fifth spot in the league standings.
West Bromwich Albion
© Getty Images
Baggies boss Pulis had not enjoyed the best of starts to the Premier League season, having notched just two wins from eight come the conclusion of the first week of October.
Pulis has seemed to be able to pick his side up in recent weeks, however, and they have now managed to earn two victories on the bounce following hard-fought results over Sunderland and Norwich City.
The coach will be pleased by the fact that the Baggies did not concede in either of those two games, before going on to win by a solitary goal.
Despite picking up the last six points on offer, West Brom's abilities going forward are still likely to come under close scrutiny following their lowly record of just eight goals scored this term.
Pulis has clearly done a great job in building his side from the back, as West Bromwich hold the sixth-best defensive record in the league with 11 goals conceded and six clean sheets, but they do still have plenty of work to do up top to ensure that they remain in the league come next spring.
Frontman Salomon Rondon could be the answer to the club's troubles should he get a consistent run in the team, after having to deal with injuries and relentless trips away on international duty. The forward has already proved an effective target man to hold up possession, and he will be keen to build from his winning goal against the Canaries last weekend.
Recent form: DWLLWW
Recent form (all competitions): WLLLWW
Leicester City
© Getty Images
Leicester's last league performance saw Claudio Ranieri have to live up to his pizza promises and that victory over Crystal Palace perhaps summed up some of the reasoning behind the club's early success.
The Foxes have been more than prepared to leave themselves open at the back, but they also know that their methods have brought them at least one goal in every league game so far this season.
What will have left Ranieri smitten last weekend, however, is that his side were finally able to keep a clean sheet at the 10th time of asking, while also being able to rely on their prowess in the final third.
The continued efficiency of Jamie Vardy continues to excite not only Leicester fans but England followers too, given that the forward now has 10 goals to his name in all competitions. Furthermore, the 28-year-old has also scored in seven consecutive league fixtures.
The club's ability going forward has clearly given the team confidence going away from home too, and they were still able to score two against Arsenal when they recorded their only Premier League loss of the campaign at the Emirates in September.
Ranieri might be looking at the fixtures ahead and thinking that his side can put together a winning run, as they face the Baggies, Watford and Newcastle United before visiting Old Trafford at the end of the month.
Recent form: DWLWDW
Recent form (all competitions): WLWDWL
Team News
© Getty Images
Given the back-to-back victories to West Brom's name, Pulis could keep the same side that has been unchanged for three weeks running.
Ben Foster still remains out with an injury, while the game is likely to come too quickly for midfielder James Morrison.
Ranieri might be tempted to revert to the same starting XI that beat Palace following a number of changes made for their League Cup defeat to Hull City.
The coach has confirmed, however, that striker Leonardo Ulloa is also pushing for a return to action at the weekend.
West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Myhill; Brunt, Evans, McAuley, Dawson; McClean, Yacob, Fletcher, Sessegnon; Rondon, Berahino
Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Fuchs, Huth, Morgan, Simpson; Schlupp, Kante, Drinkwater; Albrighton; Mahrez, Vardy
Head To Head
The two clubs met last in the 2014-15 Premier League campaign, where each side picked up a victory away from home. Over their past six meetings stretching back to 2008, the Baggies hold a slight upper hand following four wins and two defeats to the Foxes.
Video Preview
Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Leicester City
Pulis has produced back-to-back wins as well as two consecutive clean sheets in his last two league fixtures, and he will be keen for his side to build a good run of form. Leicester have plenty of goals in them this season, but Saturday's hosts will also know that Ranieri's side are more than likely to present them with an opportunity or two. This contest should see a few goals and will likely end in a draw.
Christopher Dodd
