Chris Sutton predicts shock scoreline in West Brom clash v Chesterfield in FA Cup
Chris Sutton has backed National League high-flyers Chesterfield to cause an upset and beat West Brom 2-1 in their FA Cup tie on Saturday.
The Baggies head to the Technique Stadium in fine form under Carlos Corberan, having won eight out of their last nine Championship matches.
Despite Albion’s imperious form, Sutton has backed Paul Cook’s side to pull off a famous victory (7 January).
“I smell an upset at Saltergate, despite West Brom’s recent improvement,” said Sutton (BBC Sport predictions, 5 January).
“Chesterfield are flying at the top of the National League and they will be full of confidence after beating two Football League sides, Northampton and Wimbledon, to get here.”
Get the job done
This is a potential banana skin for Corberan’s side and it’s important for Albion to field a strong team and get the job done against the National League club.
They could cause the Baggies problems, with Cook being an experienced manager who knows what it takes to beat Championship sides. The Spireites will be extremely motivated and the Spaniard may be wise to not tinker too much with his starting lineup.
There are clearly more pressing concerns for West Brom in the 2022/23 season with the playoffs very much in sight at present. West Brom are unlikely to win the FA Cup, but winning is a good habit and the Baggies should be looking to put in another dominant performance.
With a huge game against Luton on the horizon, it would not be a surprise to see Corberan make a couple of changes to his starting lineup, with potentially a couple of the Baggies’ fringe players being given a chance from the outset.
In other West Brom news, Albion are trying to sign this Brighton player on loan.