Stoke- WBA

Stoke have lost four of last five games in Premier, but at home have three wins in a row (Everton, Bolton and Sunderland), scoring seven goals in those. Although being far from a John Carew fan, I think he’s fitting very well in Pulis’ style of play. Matthew Etherington is in doubt for the game. Stoke have won seven of last eight games against West Brom (both at home and away).

The Baggies are a point above the bottom, have lost last five on the road and conceded total of 52 goals. Roy Hodgson took the charge and they avoided defeats in last two league games, draws at home vs. West Ham and Wolves. However, I think he won’t be able to make a fast impact to the squad. His football philosophy is defence while most of the players are attacking minded (Di Matteo’s legacy). In such occasions (the last was Sousa, Swansea to Leicester), teams don’t defend better at first period just stop scoring goals. And yes, West Brom haven’t defeat Stoke on the road in past 29 years (never on Britannia).

Etherington is key player for Pulis and I wanted to hear some news about his condition. If he’s ready to play their chances will be significantly bigger, but in that case odds would significantly drop. So, I’ll exclude him from my consideration and am going to take Stoke as they simply should be too much for West Brom.

Bet: Stoke -0.5
Odd: 1.93 Bet365
Stake: 7/10
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WBA - Blackburn

Early pick as the odds are in a serious drop.
I will write few words tomorrow. And probably one more game.

Bet: WBA -0.5
Odd: 1.92 Betsson
Stake: 7/10

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Sunday's World Cup round-up

Graham Taylor is convinced goalkeeper David James' terse responses to questions about Fabio Capello's selection policy were a clear indication that all is not well in the England camp.
Former England boss Taylor said: "I know David very well because we signed him as a young player at Watford many years ago. He is very articulate and he was giving us a message there, make no mistake. That was a message that all is not right."
Although he has vowed not to resign and has stood by some controversial team selections, under-fire Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen is facing media criticism following the Indomitable Lions' early exit from the World Cup. 

After it was suggested to the Frenchman that his tactics were to blame for defeats against Japan and Denmark, Le Guen simply replied: "I will not resign but you have given your opinion and I respect that. Either you trust me or you don't, but that's the way things are."

A top public university in Bangladesh has closed indefinitely after students clashed over whether to cancel classes in order to watch the World Cup. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology reportedly asked students to leave dormitories to calm the situation, after at least five people were injured in violent disturbances.

One group had demanded an early summer vacation so they could watch football on television without any tension. They asked other students not to attend classes or take tests and locked the university's main gate, prompting clashes with senior students who wanted classes to continue.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes a fear of failure and the absolute necessity to get through the group stage has contributed to the poor performances of top European sides at the World Cup.
Wenger said: "The biggest teams who have the highest level of expectation cannot express that talent yet. One reason is caution, fear of failure, response to huge demands. These teams will just get through, most of them, then you will see them really play." 

Australia forward Harry Kewell is adamant he did not deserve to be sent off for handling the ball on the line during his team's 1-1 draw against Ghana.
Kewell told the Sydney Morning Herald: "Everyone that's seen it is saying: 'Fair enough, it's a penalty'. But was it deliberate? Of course not." And coach Pim Verbeek added: "What is he supposed to do, cut his arm off?"

Television viewing figures suggest the United States public have embraced the World Cup. Twice as many Americans are believed to have watched the first five games of the tournament compared with four years ago.

Slovenia's Robert Koren insists his side will not play for a draw against England on Wednesday, even though a point would be enough to take them through to the last 16 - probably at the expense of Fabio Capello's men.
Koren, whose club future is in doubt now his West Brom contract has expired, said: "We will do everything in our power against England. We will try to win."

www.bbc.co.uk

Crystal Palace 1-1 West Brom

West Brom denied Crystal Palace the chance of securing their Championship status, handing relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday a reprieve.
Palace, who need a buyer by the end of the season, went ahead when Steven Reid sliced a free-kick into his own net. 
But the Baggies drew level inside four minutes when Gabriel Tamas headed home a Chris Brunt left-wing free-kick. 
Palace, who had Neil Danns sent off for a headbutt, now face a relegation showdown at Wednesday on Sunday. 
With the Owls having lost 3-2 at Cardiff on Saturday, Palace knew three points against West Brom on Monday would have been enough for them to avoid relegation to League One. 
But the south Londoners failed to take their chance, meaning that a season to forget - during which they have been docked 10 points as a result of falling into administration and lost manager Neil Warnock to Queens Park Rangers - will be decided by a visit to Hillsborough. 
Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer echoed round Selhurst Park before kick-off but during an engrossing game the home side's players fought tooth and nail to be the masters of their own fate. 
They gave themselves the perfect start when Darren Ambrose's well-placed right-wing free-kick was sliced past his own keeper by Reid from six yards. 
But Paul Hart's men were pegged back four minutes later when Tamas headed the visitors level.
However, in the last 10 minutes the Eagles twice had chances to make sure of the points only for substitute Stern John to head wide at the back post before, six minutes into injury time, Marek Cech cleared an Ambrose effort off the line. 
That Palace were even in a position to potentially snatch a winner late on was a testimony to both the wastefulness of the dominant visitors and the superb performance from home keeper Julian Speroni. 
The Argentine stopper produced a string of saves to deny the Baggies, most notably to keep out Chris Brunt from close range, tip over a dipping 35-yard effort from Graham Dorrans in the first half and block well-struck efforts from Cech and Youssouf Mulumbu in the second. 
In addition, West Brom striker Roman Bednar missed a number of good opportunities, heading a Dorrans cross against the bar and then shooting harmlessly wide after being released by the same player. 
After Danns was shown a straight red by referee Dean Whitestone for headbutting Dorrans it seemed certain that West Brom would make their numerical advantage count. 
But they were unable to do so, and Palace's own late profilgacy in front of goal means they face a long, nervous final game of the season in Sheffield. 
As long as Hart's men, who have a two-point advantage over Wednesday, avoid defeat they will beat the drop, sending the Owls down.
www.bbc.co.uk

West Brom 2 - 2 QPR

Simon Cox scored an equaliser deep into injury time to salvage a deserved draw for West Brom against QPR.
The visitors, with Steve Gallen and Marc Bircham in charge, went ahead when Jonas Olsson's attempted clearing header looped into his own net. 
Kaspars Gorkss doubled the lead with a simple header after a mistake by Dean Kiely but Jerome Thomas pulled one back with a swivelling shot. 
And Cox snatched a point when he tapped in a rebound in the 94th minute. 
The result will be hard to take for Rangers' novice managerial duo, who took charge with Jim Magilton suspended following his alleged altercation with Akos Busaky after the defeat against Watford. 
West Brom, meanwhile, may have missed the chance to make up genuine ground at the top of the table but manager Roberto Di Matteo will be relieved to have taken anything from a game they seemed destined to lose.

West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo:
"The way the game went a point is better than nothing. I'm trying to look at the positive side of it.
"The players fought really hard for the point. I thought we deserved a little bit more as well, we had some very good chances but didn't quite manage to score. 
"We've definitely been leaking too many goals in the last three games." 
QPR temporary manager Steve Gallen:
"I don't know what is going to happen. I just got told last week and it feels like the longest week ever.
"I don't know if I'm charge for Saturday's game (at home to Sheffield United). 
"I don't know when I'll find out. I saw something yesterday and it said the club are meeting with Jim and something will be decided over the next 48 hours. 
"I welcome that, definitely. I'm sure people on the outside at QPR want to see things resolved quickly - we all do on the inside. 
"I also saw some things during the week about chaos at QPR - that's absolute nonsense. I've not seen any chaos at the training ground."

www.bbc.co.uk

West Bromwich A. - Queens Park R.

WBA ended their unbeaten run of six games with defeat against Cardiff, last weekend. Decent display stayed unrewarded and I don’t think they could fall into crisis of results. Goalkeeper Scott Carson is suspended because the red card and will be replaced with veteran Dean Kiely.

 

Rangers are in big problems. Club’s owner is under the investigation, manager has been suspended for hitting midfielder Akos Buzsaky who is one of the key players and he has been ruled out of the game. They have three defeats in last four games. First, lost in Doncaster. Than were defending a draw at home against weak Coventry, than were humiliated at home against Boro 1-5 and in last game another defeat against Watford.

 

Over the years WBA have excellent home record. Tonight’s opponent is perfect for bouncing back and returning self confidence. Home handicap win.

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Newcastle 2-0 Watford

Ten-man Newcastle extended their lead at the top of the Championship after a tough win over a spirited Watford team.
Newcastle went ahead in the 20th minute when Craig Cathcart's weak backpass allowed Marlon Harewood to set up Peter Lovenkrands for a simple opener. 
But the hosts lost Kevin Nolan when he was shown his second yellow card for a foul in the 49th minute. 
But as Watford pushed forward, Fabrice Pancrate sealed the win with a stunning left-footed strike in the 83rd minute. 
Although not one of their most convincing performances of the season, Chris Hughton's side managed to earn their sixth successive victory of the campaign.
Newcastle manager Chris Hughton:
"There will be bad times to come, I am sure, but we have shown a lot of resilience and that is the mark of any side which is doing well, that resilience resulting in clean sheets. 
"I am absolutely delighted with that. 
"What we do know is we are going to have good days and bad days, and what we have so far shown is a resilience to cope with the bad days and, at times, get something from them. 
"There are times when you can't speak highly enough of the group of lads you have, and that applies today. 
Watford boss Malky Mackay:
"Being clinical is maybe the difference. 
"Their guy gets a chance with a couple of minutes to go and puts the ball in the top corner. 
"But that's where we are at and that's the group we have got."

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Blackpool 1 - 2 Barnsley

Derby County 2 - 2 West Bromwich A.

Saturday

Stoke 1 - 0 Sunderland

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Dave Kitson's strike just before half-time earned Stoke victory against Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium.
The former Reading player guided his effort past Craig Gordon after a scramble in the area. 
Stoke had the best of the chances, with Liam Lawrence twice having his goalbound shots blocked - first by goalkeeper Gordon then Phil Bardsley. 
Sunderland striker Darren Bent went close with a 20-yard shot and Bardsley forced a save from Thomas Sorensen. 
The match was a fairly tepid affair until the last 10 minutes of the first half. 
The efforts worthy of a mention were that of Kitson's, a snapshot over the bar from eight yards, and Bent's angled shot at the other end which was bravely blocked by Ryan Shawcross.
Apart from those half-chances, Sunderland had dealt relatively well with Rory Delap's long throw-ins while Shawcross and Abdoulaye Faye had nullified the double threat of Bent and Kenwyne Jones. 
But with the interval approaching, clear chances increased in frequency.
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Sheff Utd 2 - 2 West Brom

West Brom went top of the Championship despite a late penalty from David Cotterill salvaging a point for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Roman Bednar gave the Baggies the lead after the break with a glancing header. 
Ched Evans quickly levelled with another fine header before Bednar turned Matthew Kilgallon and fired home in style to restore the advantage. 
But Shaun Cummings brought down Darius Henderson in the dying moments, allowing Cotterill to steal a point.
www.bbc.co.uk

Premier League team news

SATURDAY 

Portsmouth v Everton, 12.45pm 
Portsmouth must do without winger Jermaine Pennant who has torn a calf muscle, with Nadir Belhadj and John Utaka likely to step in. 
Everton will be without defender Joseph Yobo after he picked up a hamstring injury in training. 
Tim Cahill should return after a calf injury. 
Portsmouth squad: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Davis, Mullins, Kranjcar, Nugent, Crouch, Basinas, Belhadj, Utaka, Kaboul, Kanu, Traore, Hughes, Wilson, Begovic. 
Everton squad: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Pienaar, Osman, Cahill, Fellaini, Saha, Jo, Rodwell, Baxter, Nash, Castillo, Jacobsen, Gosling, Wallace, Van der Meyde. 

Blackburn v West Ham, 3pm 
Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen (thigh) and fellow defender Gael Givet (knee) will undergo fitness tests. 
Striker Roque Santa Cruz is out with a knee tendon issue, midfielder Vince Grella remains out with a groin injury. 
Stephen Warnock has been cleared to play after shaking off a toe injury. 
West Ham will make a late check on Matthew Upson (calf) and Savio Nsereko. 
Kieron Dyer and Diego Tristan are fit and in contention for a place, while Jack Collison (knee) and Carlton Cole (suspended) are still out. 
Blackburn squad: Robinson, Bunn, Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Samba, Simpson, Warnock, Givet, Olsson, Villanueva, Tugay, Andrews, Diouf, Treacy, Mokoena, Dunn, McCarthy, Roberts, Pedersen. 
West Ham squad: Green, Neill, Ilunga, Parker, Savio, Kovac, Upson, Noble, Tomkins, Di Michele, Sears, Lastuvka, Lopez, Boa Morte, Spector, Tristan, Payne, Stanislas, Dyer. 

Fulham v Man Utd, 3pm

Clint Dempsey is a doubt for Fulham after food poisoning while Aaron Hughes ruled out with a rib problem.

Veteran defender Gary Neville is back in the squad after a groin strain. Darren Fletcher (virus) is included while Jonny Evans is likely to replace the suspended Nemanja Vidic.

Fulham squad: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Stoor, Hangeland, Konchesky, Baird, Davies, Etuhu, Dacourt, Murphy, Gera, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora, Zuberbuhler, Kallio, Nevland, Kamara, Gray, Barnes.

Man Utd squad: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Neville, Evra, Eckersley, Fabio, Ronaldo, Nani, Fletcher, Gibson, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Scholes, Park, Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez, Welbeck. 

Stoke v Middlesbrough, 3pm 
Stoke expect to have Matthew Etherington back from an ankle injury. 
Striker Ricardo Fuller is still troubled by a shoulder injury but is in the squad. 
Middlesbrough will be without suspended midfielder Matthew Bates as well as Didier Digard (knee and thigh) and Chris Riggott (knee). 
Skipper Emanuel Pogatetz will undergo a late fitness test on a knee injury, while Jeremie Aliadiere is also a doubt with a knock. 
Stoke squad: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Lawrence, Whelan, Diao, Delap, Etherington, Beattie, Sidibe, Fuller, Simonsen, Pugh, Amdy Faye, Sonko. 
Middlesbrough squad: Jones, Turnbull, Hoyte, McMahon, Taylor, Pogatetz, Wheater, Huth, Arca, O'Neil, Downing, Aliadiere, Walker, A. Johnson, Tuncay, Emnes, King, Alves, Franks. 

Tottenham v Chelsea, 3pm 
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is out as he is still recovering from his foot injury. 
Alan Hutton also has been rehabilitating from a foot injury but Ledley King's knee should have recovered from Sunday's win at Aston Villa. 
Chelsea are without midfielder Deco who has a hamstring injury. 
Midfielder Joe Cole and defender Paulo Ferreira remain sidelined with knee ligament damage but strikers Nicolas Anelka (toe) and Didier Drogba (knee) are both fit. 
Tottenham squad: Gomes, Cudicini, Corluka, Chimbonda, Bale, Dawson, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto, Zokora, Bentley, Huddlestone, Jenas, Lennon, Palacios, Modric, O'Hara, Pavlyuchenko, Bent, Keane, Campbell. 
Chelsea squad: Cech, Hilario, Taylor, Bosingwa, Mancienne, Alex, Terry, Ivanovic, A Cole, Belletti, Ballack, Obi, Lampard, Essien, Kalou, Malouda, Di Santo, Anelka, Drogba, Quaresma. 

West Brom v Bolton, 3pm 
Baggies defender Abdoulaye Meite has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. 
Fellow centre-back Leon Barnett is facing several weeks on the sidelines with a knee problem. 
Bolton midfielder Mark Davies is out with a knee injury while defender Joey O'Brien is struggling with a long-term knee complaint. 
West Brom squad: Carson, Zuiverloon, Olsson, Martis, Robinson, Morrison, Dorrans, Koren, Brunt, Greening, Fortune, Teixeira, Simpson, Moore, Kiely, Hoefkens, Cech, Bednar. 
Bolton squad: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Riga, Taylor, McCann, Muamba, Gardner, Kevin Davies, Elmander, Al Habsi, Hunt, Puygrenier, Makukula, Shittu. 

Newcastle v Arsenal, 5.30pm 
Newcastle will welcome back Kevin Nolan from suspension. 
Full-back Habib Beye is also available after damaging ankle ligaments, although midfielder Danny Guthrie (hamstring) is not yet ready to return. 
Joey Barton (fractured metatarsal) is targeting the end of next month for his comeback, but Mark Viduka and Ignacio Gonzalez (both Achilles) and Xisco (fractured toe) remain on the sidelines. 
Arsenal should have keeper Manuel Almunia available after an ankle problem. 
Defender Mikael Silvestre (calf) could also come into contention while Cesc Fabregas (knee) and striker Eduardo (groin) are back in training but are not expected to feature 
Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring tendon) continue their rehabilitation. 
Newcastle squad: Harper, Forster, Krul, S. Taylor, Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Enrique, Edgar, Cacapa, Butt, Duff, R. Taylor, Gutierrez, Nolan, Lovenkrands, Geremi, Ameobi, Smith, Martins, Owen, Carroll. 
Arsenal squad: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Song, Walcott, Arshavin, Van Persie, Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Vela, Bendtner, Eboue, Diaby, Silvestre. 

SUNDAY 

Wigan v Hull, 1.30pm 
Wigan winger Antonio Valencia is a slight doubt with a hamstring problem. 
Midfielder Lee Cattermole serves the second game of a four-match suspension. 
Hull captain Ian Ashbee has been ruled out but Kevin Kilbane and Dean Marney return. 
Centre-backs Michael Turner and Anthony Gardner are rated 50/50, while midfielders Jimmy Bullard and George Boateng (both knee) are long-term absentees. 
Wigan squad: Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Watson, N'Zogbia, Valencia, Kapo, Zaki, Mido, Pollitt, Edman, Brown, Boyce, Rodallega, Sibierski, De Ridder, Koumas. 
Hull squad: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Gardner, Dawson, Mendy, Kilbane, Marney, Zayatte, Garcia, Geovanni, Manucho, Cousin, Barmby, Fagan, Folan, Featherstone, Hughes, France, Duke. 

Man City v Sunderland, 3pm 
Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland (ankle) and Wayne Bridge (hamstring) are doubtful. 
Vincent Kompany and Craig Bellamy (knee) could be in contention. 
Sunderland defenders Anton Ferdinand and Nyron Nosworthy could return after hamstring injuries. 
Tal Ben Haim is unavailable, Teemu Tainio has a knee problem while Kieran Richardson completes a two-match ban. 
Man City squad: Given, Hart, Schmeichel, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Bridge, Garrido, Zabaleta, Wright-Phillips, Elano, Caicedo, Ireland, Fernandes, Vassell, Weiss, Robinho, Evans, Bojinov, Berti, Etuhu, Bellamy. 
Sunderland squad: Fulop, Gordon, Bardsley, McCartney, Collins, Ferdinand, McShane, Nosworthy, Davenport, Whitehead, Malbranque, Leadbitter, Edwards, Yorke, Reid, Cisse, Jones, Murphy, Healy. 

Liverpool v Aston Villa, 4pm 
Liverpool full-back Alvaro Arbeloa is back after a hamstring problem. 
Xabi Alonso (ankle) and Yossi Benayoun (hamstring) are back in light training and have a good chance of being involved. 
Villa striker John Carew is back to full fitness following a back problem. 
Left-back Wilfred Bouma is ready to play a part after eight months out with a dislocated ankle while midfielder Steve Sidwell could also come into the equation. 
Liverpool squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Dossena, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Mascherano, Riera, Gerrard, Alonso, Torres, Kuyt, Agger, Cavalieri, Lucas, Ngog. 
Aston Villa squad: Friedel, Guzan, Reo-Coker, L. Young, Knight, Cuellar, Davies, Shorey, Bouma, Milner, Gardner, Petrov, Barry, Sidwell, Salifou, A. Young, Agbonlahor, Carew, Heskey, Delfouneso, Harewood.
www.thesun.co.uk