Kevin Phillips predicts winner in West Brom v Newcastle
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips predicts West Brom to pile more misery on Newcastle United by beating them at The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon.
Albion go into the crucial relegation six-pointer in 19th place, nine points behind Steve Bruce’s Newcastle who are in 17th.
If the Baggies want to stay up this season, winning against a team just above the relegation zone is an absolute must.
Former West Brom and Sunderland striker Phillips claims he saw enough from Sam Allardyce’s side in their defeat to Everton on Thursday to suggest they might be able to earn all three points this weekend.
“It’s a big game for both side,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“They’ve both got their issues but I am going to go for the Baggies to put a nail in the coffin with all the problems up in Newcastle.
“I don’t think they’ve been a million miles away. Against Everton, they could have got a result if they took their chances and got a bit of luck so I’m going for a 2-1 Baggies win.”
West Brom saw their longest unbeaten run of three matches come to an end on Thursday night when Richarlison’s goal proved the difference in a 1-0 home loss to Everton.
However, there were some encouraging signs in the Albion’s performance versus a team that are serious contenders for a spot in the Champions League next season.
Newcastle, on the other hand, have been woeful for weeks and reports in recent days suggest Bruce faces a mutiny up in the North-East.
While that could play into West Brom’s hands this weekend as they aim to close the gap to safety down to six points, there are no assurances that it will be an easy match.
Even with Newcastle being without key attackers like Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron, Albion fans know all too well they tend to crumble in matches like this.
In other West Brom news, this Albion player has seen his company strike a deal with a high-flying Championship club.
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