Spurs v West Brom: Can AVB beat the high-flying Baggies?
Andre Villas-Boas lost his first game in charge of Spurs 2-1 last weekend at Newcastle United while West Brom's Steve Clarke got off to a flyer with a convincing 3-0 home win over Liverpool. But who will come out on top this weekend?
West Brom haven't won at the Lane since 1984, but they will be feeling on top of the world after beating Liverpool. Spurs on the other hand will be feeling slightly aggrieved by their defeat at Newcastle. They had more shots on and off target then their hosts but they were simply unable to add to Jermain Defoe's strike.
Spurs will be buoyed by the signing of Emmanuel Adebayor on a permanent basis and his height and strength should give Spurs the attacking edge. Question marks remain over the future of Rafael Van der Vaart, but surely AVB would be mad to get rid of one of the most technically gifted players in the league. With Michael Dawson reportedly on his way out and Tom Huddlestone being loaned to Stoke City, AVB needs a win to get the fans off his back.
West Brom haven't won their opening two league fixtures since 1997 when they beat Tranmere 2-1 and Crewe 3-2 in the Championship. They were tipped by many to struggle this season but the Baggies were in fine form against Liverpool. Could they stun Spurs be recording back-to-back wins? Our pundits would be surprised.
Spurs v West Brom; Kick Off 3pm August 25 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Shub Chaterjee |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Man United |
Alex Richert |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Stoke City |
Jack Heaney |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Spurs |
Mike Richards |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hossiennia |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
3 |
V |
1 |
Panel Verdict
Spurs are tipped to bring the Baggies down to Earth with a bump.
Home: 21; Draw: 4; Away: 8. TBA 1.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
Squarefootball's Team of the Week: West Brom's Claudio Yacob made it in, but who else managed it? Mitch Waddon reveals all here
