Preview: West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United; Kick-off: December 17, 14:15; Venue: The Hawthorns; Referee: Anthony Taylor
Manchester United will attempt to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League when they travel to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon.
A header from Romelu Lukaku saw United overcome Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, but Manchester City’s 4-0 win at Swansea City means that the gap from first to second is still 11 points.
City will have the chance to move 14 points clear of second-placed United when they host Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s late kickoff, and it appears that Pep Guardiola’s side will run away with the Premier League title this season.
United must keep City honest over the festive period, however, and the Red Devils will be looking to win their third straight Premier League away game when they make the trip to the Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon.
Indeed, Jose Mourinho’s side have won 4-2 at Watford and 3-1 at Arsenal in their last two away fixtures, and will face West Brom this weekend before making the trip to an in-form Leicester City on December 23.
United were uninspiring in their 1-0 victory over Bournemouth last time out, but it was vital that they returned to winning ways following the disappointment of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford last weekend.
The Red Devils were sixth at this stage of the 2016-17 Premier League season having only collected 30 points from 17 matches. They are eight points and four positions better off this term, and despite City’s incredible lead at the summit, there is no question that the club are heading in the right direction once again.
Only City (9) and Chelsea (6) have won more away league games than United (4) this season, although eight of the 11 Premier League goals that the Red Devils have conceded this term have come on their travels.
It is vital that Mourinho’s side keep their noses above the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham, and if they can win their next two away games against West Brom and Leicester, it would lead them nicely into home fixtures with Burnley and Southampton in the final stages of 2017.
West Brom, however, will enter Sunday’s match with some belief having collected a point at Liverpool on Wednesday night. The Baggies actually came close to winning at Anfield – creating some excellent chances - before eventually being made to settle for a share of the spoils in the goalless draw.
West Brom have only conceded one goal in their three Premier League matches since Alan Pardew’s appointment, but they are yet to find the back of the net themselves. While Wednesday’s draw at Anfield was a positive result, it is now an incredible 15 matches since the Baggies last won in the Premier League.
Indeed, Albion have only won two of their 17 Premier League matches this term, and those victories came in their opening two fixtures against Bournemouth and Burnley. Since then, they have drawn eight and lost seven times in the top flight. A total of 14 points has left them just outside of the relegation zone on goal difference, while only Swansea have a worse home record at this stage of the campaign.
United recorded a 2-0 victory when they travelled to West Brom in the corresponding Premier League match last season, but the Baggies have a recent home win over the Red Devils to their name – a 1-0 success in March 2016.
City and Chelsea have both already won at the Hawthorns this season, and there is no question that United will be eyeing all three points.
Team news
West Brom boss Pardew revealed at his pre-match press conference that Gareth Barry would be available to face United after recovering from a thigh problem, but the match is expected to come too soon for Nacer Chadli.
Jonny Evans will captain the Baggies against his former club, while James McClean is expected to keep his spot in a wide area as Salomon Rondon leads the line once again.
As for United, Mourinho confirmed that centre-back Eric Bailly would be absent for the next ‘two to three months’ as he prepares to undergo surgery on his damaged ankle. Marcos Rojo, meanwhile, could again miss out due to the head wound that he suffered against City last weekend.
A change in formation could see Victor Lindelof start in a three-man defence alongside Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, while Ashley Young and Ander Herrera are expected to return after being named on the bench against Bournemouth.
Lukaku will enter the match off the back of scoring his ninth Premier League goal of the season, and Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial could flank the Belgian, leaving Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard on the bench.
Expected starting lineups:
West Brom: Foster; Nyom, Hegazi, Evans, Gibbs; Livermore, Barry, Krychowiak; Robson-Kanu, Rondon, McClean
United: De Gea; Jones, Lindelof, Smalling; Valencia, Matic, Herrera, Young; Martial, Lukaku, Rashford
Did you know?
West Brom have lost eight of their 11 Premier League games against United, although the Baggies have won three of the eight league meetings since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
Prediction
West Brom picked up a welcome point at Liverpool on Wednesday night, but there is no getting away from the fact that the Baggies have gone backwards this season.
United were not exactly dominant in their win over Bournemouth, but the Red Devils have been strong on the road of late, and I fancy the visitors to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League this weekend.
Score prediction: West Brom 0-2 Manchester United
