West Bromwich Albion vs Newcastle Predictions

• Under 2.5 goals have been scored in each of West Brom’s last five league games.
• West Brom avoided defeat in three of their last four league matches.
• Newcastle have lost seven of their last eight away league assignments.
• Newcastle have failed to score in five of their last seven league fixtures on the road.

Basement battle at the Hawthorns

West Brom’s clash with Newcastle is the very definition of a relegation six-pointer, and neither side is expected to give much away in what could prove a game of few chances at the Hawthorns.

With their survival hopes dwindling, a win on Sunday is a must for the Baggies however, and a victory for the hosts would close the gap on 17^th placed Newcastle to just six points with ten games left to contest.

Everton ended Albion’s short three-match unbeaten run with a narrow triumph in the Midlands on Thursday, though there were plenty of positives for WBA to draw from a spirited showing against the Toffees.

Crunch time for Newcastle

Newcastle picked up a useful point against Wolves at St James’ Park last time out, though their form away from home continues to be relegation worthy.

The Magpies were shot down in seven of their last eight assignments on the road, and Steve Bruce’s hapless travellers found the net just three times in total during their fruitless away days.

Battle for inches anticipated

After an unusually goal-filled start to his tenure, Sam Allardyce’s influence has started to bed in at West Brom, and with his game-strangling tactics coming to the fore and the defensive performances starting to improve, goalmouth action has declined.

Indeed, under 2.5 goals has landed in each of the Baggies’ last five league games, and just two goals in total were plundered in WBA’s last three fixtures combined.

Only two clubs have scored fewer away goals than Newcastle this season meanwhile, and with fear of losing Sunday’s game a major determining factor, the Magpies’ shouldn’t be expected to come out all guns blazing at the Hawthorns.

Backing under 2.5 goals to be hit again looks a solid strategy as a result, though our 1-0 correct score prediction tips West Brom to eke out a narrow and potentially pivotal victory in the race for Premier League survival.

Newcastle’s away record is exceptionally poor, and Big Sam’s dogged Albion are built to take advantage of their visitor’s vulnerability.

West Bromwich Albion injuries and team news

Kieran Gibb’s is WBA’s only injury concern ahead of the weekend. Robert Snodgrass made his comeback in midweek and the midfielder is in line to start on Sunday.

Newcastle injuries and team news

Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron are both out injured in a major double blow to Newcastle, and they join Javier Manquillo, Fabian Schar, Callum Wilson and Federrico Fernandez on the sidelines.

Matt Ritchie’s involvement is in doubt too after a training ground bust up with Steve Bruce.