English Premier
2008-09-21 - West Bromwich Albion vs Aston Villa
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
West Brom
West Brom will be hoping to build on their first win of the season last week in this local derby but it will be a tough challenge for them. The Baggies sit in 15th spot in the Premier League with a 1-1-2 record scoring 4 goals but conceding 5. West Brom are 1-0-1 at home with 4 goals scored and 4 goals conceded.
West Brom are unbeaten in their last 2 matches after losing the first 3 games they played in all competitions. West Brom are a good footballing side but they seem to lack a little something up front and have scored 5 goals in their first 5 games this season.
Gianni Zuiverloon, Abdoulaye Meite and Ishmael Miller are all due late fitness tests to see if they can be available for selection.
Aston Villa
Villa have really made a good start to the season which has led many to tip them as being a threat to the top 4 places in the Premier League. They have also managed to qualify for the UEFA Cup through an Intertoto win and look good to progress further in that competition. Villa are 4th in the league with a 2-1-1 record, scoring 8 goals and conceding 6. Away from home they are 1-0-1 with 5 goals scored and 5 conceded.
Villa have bounced back from a 3-2 defeat at Stoke to remain unbeaten in their next 4 games. They have won their previous 2 games, both away from home, at Tottenham and at Litex in the UEFA Cup. Martin O'Niell may be concerned that his side have only kept 1 clean sheet this season and will be looking to improve on that. However, they are one of the highest scorers in the league which means they are always a threat in games.
The Villians have minor injury worries but should have a full squad to pick from for this game.
Head to Head
Villa are unbeaten in their last 6 games with the Albion but have only managed to win 2 of those games.
At The Hawthornes, Villa have only won 1 of their previous 3 visits with 2 draws, but they will have confidence of winning as the last game here saw Villa win 1-2.
Prediction
I think West Brom made a mistake this summer in allowing Kevin Phillips to leave the club as a goal scorer is something I feel they really lack. This will pose problems for them for as long as it is not rectified.
Aston Villa are a very good young English side and will have every confidence that they can come away from this game with 3 points. They will create chances with the pace they have in the side and I think the Baggies will struggle to contain them here.
I feel that Villa will do enough to win this game and their defence is improving all the time. It could be close as it is a derby but I think Villa will come away with what they want.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Aston Villa
BEST BETTING TIP :
Aston Villa WIN
