- Everton leads all-time 61W-34D-54L
- WBA seeks first win at Goodison since 2010
- Teams separated by single point
Raise your hand if you thought Everton vs. West Bromwich Albion in January would be a relegation battle for both sides (Watch live on NBCSN at 3pm ET and online via Live Extra).
[ MORE: Stallone at Goodison? ]
Roberto Martinez hopes to use home field to build up a semblance of normalcy for his Europa League club, 13th in the Premier League on 22 points, while avoiding the ignominy of watching the 15th place Baggies leapfrog the Toffees with a win.
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What they’re saying
Martinez on West Brom under Tony Pulis: “West Brom have looked full of intent in Tony Pulis’ first two games in charge. I think in their game with Hull we saw more of a Tony Pulis side. We saw a really competitive team with an understanding of how to put bodies forward and increase their goalscoring threat. And then, they were also very well organised and structured defensively.”
Liverpool loanee Andre Wisdom on facing Everton: “We’ll take the game as seriously as any other. We’ll do our best and hopefully get a result away from home. I’ve played at Goodison Park before with Liverpool. It’s quite a hostile ground, I was playing for the red side at the time. But I’m just concentrating on the game now, I’ll zone all of that out and give the best I can.”
Prediction
We’ll see how much excitement there is to be had, as Tony Pulis will look to thwart the home attack with characteristic hard-working defense. The best thing for the match would be an early Baggies goal, so can Saido Berahino and company deliver? We’re going to call it 1-0 to Everton.