West Bromwich Albion FC
Liverpool FC
Liverpool FC
Liverpool face West Brom needing three points to continue charge towards top four
Liverpool to win 3-1
Liverpool saw to it that their hopes of reaching a top four position by the end of the season are still very much alive after beating Manchester United in a thriller 4-2 contest.
As Chelsea and Leicester, the teams occupying 3rd and 4th right now, must play each other, neither of them can be completely sure of a top four finish, with Liverpool aiming to overtake one of them. It would be harsh for either of them to lose out, but that’s football.
Liverpool face West Brom here, following by Burnley and Crystal Palace. Three very winnable fixtures, although games in which they have slipped up on occasion this season.
West Brom are now of course relegated but could still have a part to play in how the top of the table is shaped. They won back-to-back games not long ago, but have since lost two and drawn two of their last four.
Form Guide (all comps): WLDDL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Have earned a draw in six of the last eight meetings with Liverpool
Lost just one of their last seven home games
Reasons to be fearful:
On track to lose their 20th game of the season – first time since 2008-09
Liverpool are desperate for points
Surprisingly, West Brom don’t have a bad record against Liverpool over recent seasons, and have earned six draws from their last eight meetings, proving that they can be a tough nut to crack at times.
Although Big Sam hasn’t managed to save the Baggies this time around, he has most definitely improved them, especially at home. They lost their first four home games following his appointment, but have only lost one of the following seven.
Here, they will welcome back Maitland-Niles, a loan player who has certainly improved them this season, although the game will come too soon for the recovering Snodgrass and injured Ivanovic.
Can West Brom still have a part to play this season?
Star Man – Matheus Pereira
Has scored five goals in his last six appearances for West Brom.
Form Guide (all comps): DDDWW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Top four fate is now in their hands
Now unbeaten in seven games – their best run this season
Reasons to be fearful:
Have been poor this season against teams in the bottom six
Played tough game just three days ago
It is not surprising how Liverpool’s chances of getting into the top four have improved as they are currently enjoying their longest unbeaten spell of the season.
At one stage, last season’s champions had lost six games in seven, a remarkable record for a team that dominated so much less than 12 months ago.
The question is – can they keep this up? On paper, their three remaining games sound very winnable, with Burnley and Palace following this one. Neither of those sides are fighting for anything with survival already secure.
The worry is Liverpool’s own mentality, having won only two of the 10 games they’ve played against bottom six opponents this season.
They have an unchanged squad here, although may need to rotate a little after playing Man United just three days earlier.
Star Man – Mo Salah
Loves scoring against Man United and did so again the other day. He’s been brilliant this season, even if his teammates haven’t.
Liverpool are heavy favourites
Can Mo Salah continue his scoring record?
West Brom will try and keep it tight
Last season, this was a game that Liverpool would just demolish – there wouldn’t be a question about dropping points.
Now, with the record they have in these sorts of games this season, it’s not a certainty. Can West Brom spoil the party? It’s possible, but Liverpool must surely take this chance with both hands.
Liverpool to win 3-1
