West Brom v Stoke City: Potters offer big test for Baggies

Such has been the brilliance of West Brom’s season so far that the Baggies have been slashed to 18/1 to finish in the Champions League places.

If they are to maintain such lofty ambitions beyond Christmas though, home games against the likes of Stoke are matches they should be winning.

Their odds of 1/1 to pick up all three points make them favourites for this clash but backing the ever-impressive Stoke at 5/2 offers a better chance of a big pay out.

Impressive isn’t generally a word used to describe Stoke but, footballing snobbery aside, what Tony Pulis continues to do in the Potteries is undoubtedly admirable.

Which is why the Baggies should be worried about their visit.

Stoke have not lost in four Premier League games and have seen off the likes of Fulham and Newcastle United in that period.

Their defensive frugalness in the league has been bettered by only Manchester City, although 10 of the 11 goals they’ve shipped have come on their travels and West Brom have the won six of their seven games at the Hawthorns this term.

However, that shouldn’t put you off backing the Potters.

Stoke have won all three of the Premier League games they’ve played at West Brom and haven’t so much as conceded a goal in those trio of victories.

With West Brom being so comprehensively dismantled by Swansea in the week, backing Stoke to come through and win this to nil at 11/2 looks a particularly tempting punt to take on.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date