West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United's managers both find themselves under increasing pressure as their sides prepare to meet in the Premier League on Saturday.
David Moyes continues to struggle in the immeasurable shadow of Sir Alex Ferguson, with a Champions League defeat to Olympiacos his latest setback.
Although his job is not thought to be under any short-term threat, the Scotsman will be desperate for the Red Devils to show improvements before a summer of major investment into his playing squad.
United should be refreshed after 11 days without a game, although many of their players, including Holland striker Robin van Persie, were travelling the world in midweek on international duty.
The 29-year-old shirked questions about his future with the club on Tuesday and Chelsea, Juventus and Monaco are believed to be monitoring his reportedly growing frustration at Old Trafford.
However, he is still expected to be part of Moyes's lineup at The Hawthorns this weekend, and may be joined in an attack-minded team by Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj.
The creative quartet started together for the first time in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace a fortnight ago, and could be supported by a midfield pairing of fit-again Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick.
Jonny Evans, Rafael and Phil Jones are all defensive injury doubts for the champions and so departing skipper Nemanja Vidic, who signed a contact to join Inter Milan this week, will partner Rio Ferdinand.
Pepe Mel's position at West Brom was heavily scrutinised last week following a sixth consecutive winless game since the start of his reign, but the Baggies board have given him until the end of the season.
Albion are just one point above the relegation zone following a run of only one win in 17 Premier League matches, four of which have been successive 1-1 home draws under Mel's management.
The Spaniard is without striker Nicolas Anelka, who starts a five-match suspension for making an anti-Semitic gesture, and defender Diego Lugano, who was injured while representing Uruguay.
Billy Jones is also sidelined after limping out of the 1-1 draw with Fulham, but Claudio Yacob and Stephane Sessegnon may return to the squad as they near recoveries from muscle strains.
Matej Vydra could be promoted to the starting XI in place of Thievy after scoring the equaliser off the bench against the Cottagers, while Victor Anichebe is also pressing for a recall in attack.
Recent form
West Brom: DDLDLD
Man United: LWDDLW
Possible starting lineups
West Brom: Foster; McAuley, Olsson, Dawson, Ridgewell; Brunt, Yacob, Mulumbu, Morrison; Vydra, Anichebe
Man United: De Gea; Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Fellaini, Carrick; Januzaj, Rooney, Mata; Van Persie
Sports Mole says: 0-2
Joe Fish
