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For the Baggies, relegation was a surprise – at least at the start of the season. With a squad that felt lacking in balance and an overhaul required that many didn’t see coming, relegation has left the Midlands missing yet another top flight representative.

They have dropped down into the Championship after a period of relative top flight stability for the club. What happens next, though, will be quite interesting. The club handed the keys to coach turned near saviour, Darren Moore. The ex-Baggies player was a bit of a stalwart with the club, and instantly made an impression in the dugout. He done well to keep a club doomed for relegation under Alan Pardew ticking along, with some stellar results along the way.

However, for West Brom, the future does seem a bit rosier than some of the other clubs. The playing staff will go through an obvious rebuild, while the coaching staff at least have the fans onside. While their relegation was a bit of a shock, it looks like they are at least on some kind of steady footing to progress from the outside.

2018/19 Prediction

We’d suggest it all comes down to recruitment; West Brom have a lot of work to do on that front. With a rookie coach at the helm, it’ll depend on how quickly he can move players on to free up space, and finance, for much-needed replacements. If they can inject some energy and youth whilst maintaining a decent spine, the boing-boing Baggies may return

Wolverhampton Wanderers are one of the more historic and stories English cubs. Despite that, they’ve endured a rough period of time in the last couple of decades, rarely if ever living up to their genuine potential. Under the Fosun group, though, Wolves have quickly built a very interesting project.

Present manager Nuno is a very intriguing coach himself, having enjoyed success with Valencia before it fell away in devastating fashion. Backed by his long-term agent and major influencer Jorge Mendes, Wolves have the finance and the network access to snare some amazing players.

Already building on the core of players who got them promoted, Wolves have a fervent backing in the stands and a very interesting transfer window ahead. If they can build on a season that seen them hit 99 points, they could really make a big difference in the Premier League next year.

2018/19 Prediction

While players like Wily Boly and Barry Douglas were excellent second tier players, it’ll be interesting to see how players like Ruben Neves, Ivan Cavaliero and Diogo Jota step up in the Premier League.

With some other interesting names being linked such as Andre Silva, it all comes down to how well Wolves use the market. If they play their cards right they could easily finish on the top half, simply by adding to the impressive pool of players they have.

If they struggle to attract as many of the big names as they are being linked to, though, then they’ll likely stay up with less fanfare than some might expect. It’s a tricky balance, though; their Mendes link should see them bring in enough quality to easily stay up, though.

The FA Cup might not be as popular as it once was, but big ties like this will always whet the appetite. Arsenal versus Manchester United is an FA Cup classic. From the Ryan Giggs game to the FA Cup Final win for Arsenal (on penalties) in the 2005 season, through to the infamous game where Nani carried out many flicks and tricks, this is a tie that has – more often than not – went in favor of United.

Can Arsenal finally put an end to that?

Arsenal News

The injuries are racking up for the Gunners, with injuries to the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Hector Bellerin, Danny Welbeck and Rob Holding vastly limiting their squad depth. We could see Mesut Ozil return to the team, though it would be a surprise given his complete drop-off from the first team picture under Unai Emery.

We could also see some of the younger players get a game, with Emery showing no fear in putting faith in the next generation.

 

Manchester United News

United, though, come with some interesting issues of their own. Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw might sit this one out, with both having played a lot under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. We could also see Marouane Fellaini miss out, after his injury looked quite serious.

With a home league game against Burnley just four days after this one, expect United to rotate heavily: a previously unlike shot at the Champions League spots has come into view, so this could be sacrificed to make way for it.

 

Other Sport Thoughts

This weeks other ‘sport thoughts’ cast an eye to one of the biggest sporting event of 2019, namely the Grand National held in April at Aintree racecourse. For those interested in placing a wager on horse racing in addition to their typical football bets, I can think of no better racing event to chance your arm on. With such a big field, there are a good number of outsiders for those looking for a big win at a small outlay, and for punters with a more cautious approach, you’d no doubt be joining thousands in betting on a Grand National favourite. Tiger Roll is current favourite. Perhaps he’s the one for you?

 

Verdict

Back to the game! With United in such amazing form under their caretaker coach but Arsenal slowly finding form, too, we think this could be a draw. Neither side will really want to take a replay, but we could see both sides lacking the bodies to push for a winner, which could create the spectacle of a repeat game up at Old Trafford.

After a chastening pair of defeats to end a long unbeaten run, Liverpool are back to reality with a bump. Now, they head to the home of the team with the best home record outside of the top six in the league: Brighton and Hove Albion. The Seagulls are doing quite well for themselves, and should pose a much bigger challenge than they did in the 5-0 battering they received at the Amex last year.

Brighton and Hove Albion News

The loss of Mat Ryan and Alireza Jahanbaksh to the Asian Cup is a big loss for Brighton, while the loss of the impressive Bernardo will likely be felt here, too. Jose Izquierdo is likely to miss out, too, having failed to live up to his second season so far in England.

Outside of that, though, we do not expect Brighton to be missing too many other players. They look to be in fine condition following a hectic festive period.

Liverpool News

Last year, Liverpool won at Brighton with ease despite the appearance of Giorginio Wijnadlum at centre-back. This year, something similar will be needed: Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren are all injured.

While young FA Cup debutant Ki-Jana Hoever is unlikely to play, we could see someone like Fabinho slot into the central slot again. He done well there in the loss to Wolves, but this will be another huge challenge – albeit added by the likely return of Virgil van Dijk.

Verdict

This should be a great game to watch: a home side flying and a would-be set of champions being very closely examined. The pressure is on for the Reds, and we can see them passing this test. Don’t expect it to be easy, though: Brighton are fearsome at home, and will definitely pose as stern a test as the Reds have faced so far away from home outside the traditional giants.

At the start of the season, many would have likely tipped Huddersfield Town and Brighton and Hove Albion to struggle. Their squads hardly scream top quality, and their inability to score goals at the top level was always going to be an issue.

With Brighton falling into a poor run of form, without a win in three, Huddersfield have pulled themselves away from the brink a touch here. Can either side get the points they need here, though? Huddersfield have picked up 7 of their 10 points of the season in the last three games: can they make it 10 from 12?

Huddersfield News

Town are beginning to find their stride a bite, with the return to form of Philip Billing and Aaron Mooy very much just in time. The impressive return of Terence Kongolo and Christopher Schindler has been worthwhile, too.

However, up-front they need to see a lot more from Alex Pritchard and Steve Mounie: if they are to get anything from this game, they’ll need firepower.

Brighton News

For Brighton, the plan is likely to be to get Anthony Knockaert running at the back-three, and getting balls in for the 7-goal Glenn Murray. The experienced forward has been very good this year, and could be the key to making sure they can get out of Yorkshire with a point – or three.

With Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk impressing at the back, too, it’s very much a sit in and counter approach from Brighton.

Verdict

We can see this being an exciting score draw. There is a lot to like about both sides, and we can see there being a fair amount of drama in this one. Expect a lot of chances with both teams being quite weak at the back, and lots of extensive, energetic pressing: this is a 6-pointer worth watching.