Premier League Countdown: Bottom-half finish awaits West Brom
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The new Premier League season is inching ever nearer, so it’s time to start thinking about how the upcoming campaign will shake out.
In the build-up to the new season we’re profiling each of the 20 top-flight clubs, from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to Premier League new boys Brighton & Hove Albion.
Our next team in the spotlight is West Bromwich Albion…
The Baggies sat eighth for much of last season, with the top seven too good and the rest taking points off each other.
But their end-of-season form was woeful, gaining just five points from their last 12 games and they slumped to tenth in the final weeks.
And there’s been little action in the summer window to suggest Tony Pulis’ side have improved.
That’s not to say they’ve become worse either, but with the rest of the Premier League making major enhancements, they could find themselves slipping into the bottom-half.
Darren Fletcher’s departure to mid-table rivals Stoke City will be hard to replace, although in Jay Rodriguez they have a striker capable of 15 goals or more this term.
But is the quality there to supply him? It’s an experienced but ageing side, and there’s little to get excited about at the Hawthorns this season.
West Bromwich Albion – 2017-18
Key arrivals: Jay Rodriguez
Key departures: Darren Fletcher
Man to watch: Jay Rodriguez
Title odds: 750/1
Best bet: To finish higher than Newcastle @ 10/11
We say: West Brom went on holiday early last season, knowing that a top-half finish was secure, but it won’t be so easy this time around. It’s been a very quiet summer at the Hawthorns, and with the likes of West Ham United and Crystal Palace making sizeable improvements, the Baggies are set to slip down the order this term.
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