Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stoke
Albion’s Premier League season continues on Saturday as they face Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium (ko 3pm).
The opposition
Currently bottom of the table on one point, Stoke have not made the start Mark Hughes would have wanted, shipping 14 goals in their first five Premier League games. They conceded four against Crystal Palace live on Sky Sports last Sunday as the Eagles ran out winners at Selhurst Park.
Last time out
Jonny Evans scored an injury time winner when the two sides last met at The Hawthorns on New Year’s Day. Stephane Sessegnon was also on target that afternoon.
Last time out at the Stoke, Salomon Rondon scored his first Albion goal in a 1-0 win. In fact, the Baggies have won their last three games against the Potters having won only one of the previous 15.
Team news
Chris Brunt played just over an hour for Albion’s PL2 side on Monday night but will not be available for the weekend. Nacer Chadli was substituted with a slight knock on his impressive home debut but should be in line to start.
Jack Butland and Ibrahim Afellay are all unavailable for the hosts, while Xherdan Shaqiri (pictured) remains a doubt Afellay was sent off in this fixture last season.
Stats
Albion will be looking to win back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since January.
In games between the two teams, Albion head coach Tony Pulis has only once been on the losing side. Saturday’s fixture will be the Welshman’s 1000th professional match in English football.
From the archive
Graham Dorrans scores a dramatic late free-kick as Roy Hodgson’s men secure their first league win of 2012.
Head-to-head
Albion have won 45, drawn 35 and lost 59 of their 139 fixtures against Stoke City. The first of which came on the opening day of the inaugural Football League season in 1888.
Tickets
Albion will be backed by a sell-out following of 1,600 fans in the Potteries.
Follow the game
The game will kick-off at 3pm with comprehensive coverage across all of the club’s social media channels.
Twitter - @WBA
Facebook - West Bromwich Albion
Snapchat - wbafc_official
Instagram - @wba
Supporters can also listen to live commentary on Albion Player with Gez Mulholland and Dave Bowler talking you through the action.
Press conference