West Brom v Wolves match preview

Date: Monday 3rd May
Kick off: 18.00
Venue: The Hawthorns


On Monday Wolves visit midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion for the second Black Country derby of the season.

In the reverse fixture in January, Albion ran out 3-2 winners with two of the baggies goals scored from the penalty spot by Matheus Pereira, the other by Semi Ajayi. Fabio Silva and Willy Boly got the goals for Wolves.

This will be the 6th Black Country Derby played in the Premier League with West Brom holding the bragging rights having won the previous 3 encounters.
Despite Wolves currently being 7 places above Albion in the league table with 16 more points, when the whistle blows to start a BCD, pride, passion and determination become more important than all the stats in the world. No-one is more aware of that than Baggies manager Sam Allardyce. Born in Dudley in the heart of the Black Country and a boyhood Wolves fan, no-one understands better than ‘Big Sam’ the intense rivalry between the two clubs.

For West Brom every point is a prisoner just now with Allardyce trying to work his magic to get them out of the relegation zone. On Thursday however they were soundly beaten 3-0 by Leicester followed by a 2-2 draw with local rivals Aston Villa on Sunday.

By contrast, Wolves are under no great pressure. Hopes of a third 7th place finish (or better) faded along with the performances once star striker Raul Jimenez was sidelined with a fractured skull. Safe from relegation, it only remains now to win games to achieve the highest league place possible, for financial reasons and for pride. That having been said, this is the Black Country Derby and for everyone associated with the club it is a must win game.

In Wolves’ last game they received a mauling from 17th placed Burnley at Molineux with the 4-0 score line flattering the home side. They will need a much better performance here if they are to avoid a similar drubbing.

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports

Gem’s prediction 2-2