We ask what position West Bromwich Albion will finish in the Premier League this season.
West Bromwich Albion are currently stranded on the Premier League island of 8th place.
I say ‘stranded’ but it is a comfortable spot to be in. Tony Pulis’ side have the security of 40 points at the time of writing, a healthy buffer from the teams below and no expectation to catch the big guns above them. But does that mean the Baggies are a certainty for 8th place?
Mentality
There were rumblings that West Brom’s players were already on holiday following lacklustre defeats to Crystal Palace and Everton. With the club’s poor form at the end of last season – four points from nine games – there were growing concerns that Pulis’ men may have downed tools once again.
However, the impressive victory over Arsenal just before the international break silenced any doubters and proved they willing to battle for points. Especially given that Albion have an opportunity to surpass their Premier League points haul (49) set by Steve Clarke’s side in the 2012/3 campaign.
You would expect the highly-professional senior players in West Brom’s squad to be eager to break that tally and carry their high standards into next season.
There are also those players with a point still to prove. Hal Robson-Kanu and James McClean haven’t seen much playing time in the last few months but responded with energy and endeavour against the Gunners.
Likewise, youngsters Sam Field and Jonathan Leko will be pushing hard for more playing time in the final weeks for the campaign.
Still to play
The Baggies win over Arsenal was their first over a top seven side all season. With Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City still to play at the time of writing, Pulis will be hoping to build on that victory and grab more surprise results from the Premier League’s top sides.
Everton have to play four sides above them before the end of the season, but games at Goodison Park against Leicester City, Burnley and Watford should take the Toffees well out of Albion’s reach.
Of the teams that stand a chance of catching up with West Brom in 8th spot, Stoke City appear to have the friendliest run in – if there is such a thing. The Potters have six bottom-half sides still to play. Their only meetings with top seven sides come at the Bet365 versus Arsenal and Liverpool.
Predictions
If West Brom match their results from the reverse fixtures during the run-in they would end the season on 58 points. It works out as one point less if the Baggies continue picking up points at the same rate they have done all season.
With the Albion on 58 points, Stoke would need a daunting 23 points out of a possible 27 to land 8th place. Looking up the table, it would mean Everton only need to collect nine points to secure 7th place.
As long as West Brom don’t have a drastic collapse, they should claim their record points tally and comfortably wrap up 8th place in the Premier League., but higher than that looks beyond The Baggies.
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