West Brom v Tottenham preview- Can Baggies keep 8,000/1 shot alive?
Four weeks ago, few would have predicted Albion would still be clinging on to their Premier League status by the last home game of the season.
Staying up, however, is now an 8,000/1 shot according to some bookmakers because the Baggies need eight results to go their way over the next fortnight.
And according to those same bookies, this match against Tottenham is the least likely of all eight to go in their favour.
But only a fool would write Darren Moore off. Albion’s caretaker boss has completely reversed the club’s fortunes during his short spell in charge.
Through a mixture of organisation, attention to detail, and compassionate man-management, he has turned a team unable to do anything but lose into one remarkably difficult to beat.
The Baggies may be 7/1 outsiders to win this game alone, but Moore has defied the odds before, and stepped up to every test so far.
There’s no reason why April’s manager of the month nominee won’t do the same this weekend.
After turning out to manage the Albion All-Stars at a charity game for the family of late mascot Richard Eades last Sunday, Moore travelled down to Wembley on Monday to cast his eye over Tottenham.
Although he’s expected to name the same starting line-up as the one that’s remained unbeaten over the past four games, he will have picked up a few pointers that were relayed back to his team on the training ground this week.
Albion need to win (and hope three other results go their way) to keep their tiny survival hopes alive, but perhaps more achievable is keeping the unbeaten run going.
Despite Tottenham’s recent success under Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs have only won two of their last nine meetings with the Baggies. Most of those games have finished as draws, and 1-1 draws at that.
They have been particularly vulnerable to the dead ball in those games, and Albion have rediscovered their potency from set pieces in recent weeks.
In another world, a point against top four opposition at this stage of the season would be incredibly valuable, and there is a huge sense of frustration among the fanbase that relegation was accepted too early. But the caretaker boss is refusing to look back.
“There’s no frustration at all,” said Moore. “The club asked me to step in and fulfil a role. I’m just echoing what’s going on at the football club.
“We can’t cry over spilled milk. What’s gone has gone, there’s nothing we can do about it. We just look to the next game.”
The next game is the last at The Hawthorns this season.
Considering the Baggies have only won one home game since August, signing off with a victory in front of their own fans would be well-received, regardless of whether it keeps the glimmer of hope alive or not.
Albion's key man - Ben Foster
The Baggies No.1 has been in inspired form recently, epitomised by his reflex save last week, and he will need to be on his game to stop Harry Kane and co here, especially with the striker desperate to chase down Mohamed Salah for the golden boot.
Opposition dangerman - Dele Alli
Even though Harry Kane scored on Monday, Tottenham’s top scorer has been off the boil lately compared to Alli. The 22-year-old has five goals in his last seven appearances, making a mockery of talks earlier this season of his demise. In fact, he has 14 goals and 17 assists across all competitions. Not bad.
Memory lane
In 1981, Albion beat Spurs 4-2 at home in the penultimate game of the season. Bryan Robson, Peter Barnes, Ally Brown and Nicky Cross all scored.
Likely line-ups
Albion (4-4-1-1): Foster, Nyom, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs, Phillips, Brunt, Livermore, McClean, Rodriguez, Rondon.
Subs: Myhill, Evans, Yacob, Krychowiak, Burke, Sturridge, Robson-Kanu.
Spurs (4-2-3-1): Lloris, Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies, Wanyama, Dier, Eriksen, Alli, Son, Kane.
Subs: Vorm, Aurier, Alderweireld, Lamela, Sissoko, Lucas, Llorente.