West Brom could struggle despite announcing Brunt deal

West Brom have delighted fans by announcing that captain Chris Brunt has penned a new three-year deal, keeping him at the Hawthorns until at least 2017.

Brunt announced the deal via Twitter and said he is hoping to propel the Baggies to bigger and better things after the side flirted with relegation last term.

Albion fans could be tempted to back their side to finish as the Premier League’s top Midlands club at 4/1 with the Brunt deal adding to a shrewd summer of business by Alan Irvine.

The Baggies boss has recruited well on a shoestring budget adding Craig Gardner, Chris Baird and Joleon Lescott for free from Sunderland, Burnley and Manchester City respectively.

The club, however, remain joint outsiders with newly-promoted Leicester in this particular market, with Aston Villa, who have added the likes of Joe Cole and Phillipe Senderos, and Stoke, who now boast Bojan Krkic and Mame Biram Diouf, priced at 3/1 and 23/20 respectively.

And, while the squad certainly looks better equipped than last year to launch an assault on the middle of the Premier League table, the betting suggests the Baggies are in for another tough season.

The Hawthorns outfit, who finished just three points above the relegation zone last term, look guaranteed to finish in lower half of the table, with a bottom 10 finish priced at 1/7 with Ladbrokes.

Chris brunt reveals his new deal via twitter:

Delighted to be staying at WBA and looking forward to helping the club in whatever way I can improve on last season. Thanks for the support — Chris Brunt (@chrisbrunt11) August 10, 2014

Albion fans would probably take anything from 18th up if offered now but odds of 15/8 for relegation show that a drop down to the Championship could still be on the cards despite the summer reinforcements.

West Brom start the new season at home to Sunderland and Irvine’s side are the 13/10 favourites to get off to a bright start.

The Black Cats are not huge outsiders though, priced at 2/1 to take all three points, while the draw is available at 23/10.

All Odds and Markets correct as of the date of publishing

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