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Attendance: 25,031
West Brom logo
Premier League
Apr 30, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
West Ham logo

0-3

FT(HT: 0-2)
Kouyate (34'), Noble (45', 79')

Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs. West Ham United

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday's Premier League match at The Hawthorns between West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United.

West Bromwich Albion go up against West Ham United in the Premier League at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

The home side are looking to build on their impressive point at White Hart Lane on Monday night, while West Ham still have an outside chance of a top-four finish.


West Brom

West Bromwich Albion's Craig Dawson scores his team's first goal during against Tottenham Hotspur on April 25, 2016© AFP

Tony Pulis's Baggies are without a win in six Premier League matches, but their comeback and draw against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week has all but handed the title to Leicester City.

West Brom were outplayed in the first half and fell behind through Craig Dawson's own goal, but the defender then turned home at the other end as the visitors produced a much-improved second-half display to earn a point and reach 41 for the season.

An impressive result given Spurs' desire to collect the points and the Baggies did well to score against the league's best defence, but that was only their second goal in the recent six-game winless streak.

Only Aston Villa (25) have scored fewer goals than West Brom's 32 this season, and the Baggies have created a league-low 169 goalscoring attempts from open play.

Pulis's recent trend to start with mostly defensive-minded players has hardly helped West Brom's creativity, and how the Welshman would like to have a player like West Ham's Dimitri Payet.

The Frenchman, with 102, has created 75 more chances for his teammates than Darren Fletcher (27), who is West Brom's most creative player this season in the Premier League.

Recent form: LDLLLD


West Ham

Mark Noble stands tall and proud during the Premier League game between West Ham United and Watford on April 20, 2016© Getty Images

Although the Hammers are undefeated in their last nine league matches, they have only won one of the last five, and that was 10 days ago when they saw off Watford 3-1 at home.

It would have been tough to watch their FA Cup quarter-final conquerors Manchester United, instead of them, beat Everton at Wembley in the semi-finals as they got a weekend off, so they will be keen to continue their solid form in the league.

The lack of wins recently means that there is a eight-point gap to fourth-placed Arsenal, though West Ham do have a game in hand on the Gunners and a seemingly favourable end to the season.

The Hammers have scored at least two goals in their last six league matches, but they have also conceded at least two goals in their last four away league games.

It would still be a big surprise if he made Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2016, but Andy Carroll is certainly a man in form.

The towering striker has scored six goals in his last six competitive appearances for the Hammers and over half of his 23 Premier League goals for the East London side have been scored with his head (12).

Payet's aforementioned 102 chances created is more than twice as many as any other West Ham player.

Recent Premier League form: WDDDDW
Recent form (all competitions): DDDLDW


Team News

Saido Berahino shakes hands with Tony Pulis during the FA Cup game between West Brom and Bristol City on January 9, 2016© Getty Images

Ben Foster and Saido Berahino are both doubts for the home side with ankle injuries and will be assessed closer to kickoff having missed the draw at Spurs on Monday night.

Midfielder James Morrison is training again after a hamstring injury but is unlikely to feature., while Chris Brunt, James Morrison and Alex Pritchard are all ruled out due to injury.

Bilic, meanwhile, has the luxury of a fully-fit squad to select from at The Hawthorns.

The Hammers boss could bring Sam Byram into the starting XI at right-back and move Michail Antonio into a more advanced role down the wing.

West Brom possible starting lineup:
Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Evans; Yacob, Fletcher; Sessegnon, Gardner, McClean; Rondon

West Ham possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Byram, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Antonio, Payet, Lanzini; Carroll


Head To Head

Seven of the last 10 Premier League meetings between these two have ended in a draw, including a 1-1 stalemate in the November reverse at the Boleyn Ground.

West Ham have lost just two of their last 11 league away trips to West Brom (W5 D4 L2).


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We say: West Brom 1-2 West Ham

West Brom spoiled Spurs' title hopes on Monday night and that might just play a part here against a West Ham side keen on back-to-back wins.



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Slaven Bilic has a word with Andy Carroll during the FA Cup game between Manchester United and West Ham United on March 13, 2016
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