Premier League preview: West Brom v Wolverhampton

West Bromwich Albion will look to inflict further pain on Wolverhampton Wanderers when the fierce rivals meet on Sunday.

The match at The Hawthorns will be the first Black Country derby of the Premier League era, and promises to be an electrifying encounter.

West Brom are the form side and will go into the match confident of victory but may have to get there without the services of Peter Odemwingie.

West Brom’s leading goal-scorer is still struggling with the calf injury that ruled him out of the Baggies’ 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa last time out, and is not expected to recover in time to take on Wolves.

Odemwingie has got his name on the scoresheet six times in 12 appearances for West Brom, and the loss of the Nigeria international striker is a big blow to West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo.

“Peter’s still doubtful. He’s still injured and hasn’t trained yet this week,” Di Matteo told West Brom’s official website.

“It is a little calf strain that is causing the problem and I’m not very hopeful on him at the moment. If Peter’s not back for this game, he’ll hopefully be back for the next one (at Bolton Wanderers).”

West Brom have exceeded all but the most optimistic of expectations since being promoted to the Premier League at the end of last season.

The Baggies have taken points from 10 of 17 fixtures so far, and sit 11th on the table with 22 points.

But Di Matteo’s side are equal on points with Newcastle United in eighth and a mere five points adrift of Tottenham in fifth.

In contrast, Wolves have slumped to second-bottom on the table with 15 points, though Mick McCarthy’s side are improving of late.

The Wanderers defeated Birmingham City 1-0 last time out, pushing them three points clear of bottom-placed West Ham United and within one point of escaping the relegation zone.

It was Wolves’ second win in three fixtures, having also come from one goal down to stun Sunderland 3-2, and may signal an end to their dire early-season run.

After beginning their league campaign with a three-match undefeated run Wolves promptly lost nine of their next 11, with only a 1-1 draw against West Ham and an uncharacteristic 2-1 triumph over Manchester City to show for their efforts.

Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who kept the club to their first clean sheet of the season against Birmingham, is anticipating a hostile reaction on Saturday.

“Birmingham on Sunday was a good game and a big derby and this is even bigger,” Hennessey told Wolverhampton’s official website.

“I know we’ll get all sorts of stick at their place but that’s part and parcel of football. The only way to respond is to try and get another clean sheet.”

“Albion have brought some good players in and have got a good squad so we know we’re in for a tough game.”

“They lost against Villa as well so will be even more determined. But we want to build on what we did at the weekend as well.”

“I’ve played quite well at The Hawthorns – touch wood – and hopefully will do so again. But what’s more important is that we get a result from what is going to be a very tough game.”

Wolves have been decimated by injury this season, and will still be unable to call on Michael Mancienne, Jody Craddock, Karl Henry and Adlene Guedioura this weekend.

Odemwingie shapes as Di Matteo’s only major injury concern.