Prediction: West Brom vs Wolves

Verdict: Wolves win

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In an FA Cup showdown between two Midlands rivals, Wolves will travel to the Hawthorns on Sunday lunchtime when they meet West Brom.

West Brom

Starting with the hosts, putting in a flat performance last weekend as they eventually fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Norwich, West Brom will certainly be seeking an immediate response here. Sat firmly in the driving seat to clinch a Champions League play-off spot in 2024, Carlos Corberan’s squad will be relishing a return to the Hawthorns on Sunday lunchtime. Extending on their FA Cup adventure on January 7th as they secured a routine 4-1 romp against National League outfit Aldershot, the former Huddersfield boss has seen his squad win all of their previous four appearances in front of their own supporters across all competitions. Likewise, last seen at the Hawthorns picking up another 4-1 win against Blackburn, West Brom have lost just one of their previous 12 showdowns on home soil – a run that stems all the way back to September 2nd.

Team News

Away with Nigeria at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations, West Brom will be without the services of 30-year-old defender Semi Ajayi on Sunday lunchtime. Likewise, not making a single appearance since the start of December, former Sunderland striker Josh Maja will not make his return this weekend.

Scotland international Matt Phillips also remains on the sidelines with an extended muscle issue. Notching nine Championship strikes this season and with three strikes in as many appearances at the Hawthorns, ex-Salford striker Brandon Thomas-Asante here.

Wolves

As for the visitors, while Gary O’Neil might have only been appointed days before the 2023/24 campaign got underway, Wolves have continued on an eye-catching Premier League flurry this season. Snatching a point away at Europa League outfit Brighton last time out, the former Bournemouth boss has seen his squad gain plenty of plaudits. With their sights set on mounting a genuine top-half charge this year, Wolves are unbeaten in all of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Extending on their FA Cup adventure on January 16th as they secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against Brentford, O’Neil’s side should be relishing a trip across the Midlands on Sunday lunchtime. With just a single defeat to their name from any of their previous nine appearances, Wolves will be looking to make a statement here. Signing off 2023 with a stellar 3-0 romp against Everton, the Premier League outfit will be desperate to avoid an FA Cup banana skin.

Team News

Away with South Korea at this month’s Asia Cup, Wolves will be unable to call upon attacking talisman Hee-Chan Hwang on Sunday lunchtime. Likewise, punching an Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage ticket earlier in the week, 22-year-old midfielder Boubacar Traore will not feature here.

Making a first Premier League start since the end of October away at Brighton on Monday night, Portugal international Pedro Neto will have a leading role to play at the Hawthorns. With O’Neil set to make a handful of changes here, the likes of Santiago Bueno, Joseph Hodge and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde could be handed a full recall.

Key Factors to Consider

• West Brom have collected 10 points from their previous four meetings against Wolves.
• The Baggies have won all of their last four appearances at the Hawthorns by an aggregate score of 10-2.
• Wolves have lost just one of their previous nine matchups across all formats – a run that stems back to December 2nd.
• However, O’Neil’s side have managed to muster just a single victory from any of their last seven contests on the road.
• West Brom have collected just a pair of clean sheets from any of their last eight appearances.

Conclusion

Failing to win any of their previous four showdowns against their local rivals, Wolves could face a potential FA Cup banana skin here. However, although O’Neil’s side might have shown some extended issues away from Molineux, the Premier League outfit have received plenty of plaudits. Unbeaten in all of their previous six showdowns against Premier League opposition, the former Bournemouth boss will be calling on his squad to make a local statement on Sunday lunchtime. While we could be set for a fiery affair, we are backing Wolves to extend on their FA Cup adventure here.

Verdict: Wolves win

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet