West Bromwich Albion travel the short distance across the midlands to St Andrew’s today to face Birmingham City in an exciting local derby.
The Baggies still have an outside chance of sneaking into the play-offs but know anything other than victory will likely put them out of the running.
But with five of their eight games left being at home, they have a huge advantage.
They went into the international break on the back of a four-game unbeaten run and will hope to continue that against the Blues who have only won one in their last six.
On the chalkboard
There’s good news heading into the game with Andy Carroll returning from injury having suffered a slight knock before the international break.
Bringing Carroll back into the side will provide a different test for Birmingham City with him being described as “unplayable” by former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips.
The 33-year-old striker will be hungry to impress and deserves the chance having only started three times since moving to the Hawthorns in January.
Carroll would fit perfectly in a front three alongside Karlan Grant and Callum Robinson who have forged an expert partnership this season, scoring 20 times between them.
The former England international has proved time and time again that when he is fit he can be relied on and when it comes to aerial battles and holding the ball up. He has won a mighty 6.7 aerial duels per game in 2021/22 for the Baggies and 5.8 per match throughout his career so you’d struggle to find anyone better.
Those statistics make for eye-catching reading and demonstrate why he could terrify the Blues’ defence on Sunday afternoon.
He can also lean on the bags of Premier League experience he has, including two stints at his boyhood club Newcastle, most recently when now Baggies boss Steve Bruce was in charge.
During the £720k-rated striker’s first spell at the Toon, he scored 20 goals and provided 13 assists in just 53 matches in his first two seasons.
Carroll’s chances of playing will also be boosted by an injury to fellow striker Daryl Dike with Bruce confirming that he is unlikely to feature for West Brom for the rest of the season.
The American striker joined the Baggies for £7m in January but suffered an injury in his first game and hasn’t been able to make a start since.
With a win crucial for West Brom today, and with their opponents failing to score in 347 minuites, it could be the perfect chance for Carroll to prove himself.
AND in other news: “Exciting” 21 y/o out as Bruce faces stick-or-twist dilemma; Predicted West Brom XI…