Derby Day - Bring on the Baggies!

So this is as good as we are going to get for I suspect a looooooong time due to Small Heaths continued decline.

It’s time to sort out our Home form and start looking up the table rather than down. The new signings will improve the squad, and in Bertrand’s case the starting XI. The last 4 encounters between the Baggies have ended in a draw but I have a good feeling about this one.

WBA

Currently sitting in 13th place just 2 points behind us in the race to avoid relegation.

Will Anelka play or not? Surely yes, he will want to make the most of his time on the pitch before his inevitable lengthy ban. Pepe Mel will be taking charge of only his second game, he isn’t well known outside of Spain so it remains to be seen what kind of impact he will have. I suspect they will be trying to play tikka takka football as this seems to be the latest "craze".

Aston Villa

Likely line-up:

Guzan

Bacuna Vlaar Clarke Bertrand

Westwood El Ahmadi Delph

Weimann Holt

Benteke

Team News:

Gabby looks set to miss out due to a foot injury and he will be a big loss, he was arguably the star of the draw at Liverpool. With no natural width in the attacking positions on the left I expect Bertrand to be encouraged to get forward at every opportunity. Holt may play up top with Benteke rather than out wide giving much needed support and this will hopefully give Jonas Olsson something to think about.