WBA-MAD Preview: Albion vs Stoke

Last updated : 28 August 2015 By Wba-mad Editor

West Brom will be looking to kick-start their season this weekend having, so far, also failed to pick up their first victory of the season. The Baggies were handed a tough start to their season with the Premier League’s top two sides from last year, Chelsea and Man City, both featuring in West Brom’s opening three matches of the season, but they will look to kick on this weekend by taking all three points.

Stoke come into this weekend’s fixture still looking for their first win of the season, having been held to back-to-back draws in their last two matches and losing out to Liverpool on the opening day of the season. The Potters will be looking to their ever-passionate support to help their side take all three points, as they look to boost their ratio of a goal a game.

The hosts will be looking for a big performance from their new number one Jack Butland, as he looks to impress the Stoke fans and national team management alike. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has made 13 saves already this season, at an average of 3.25 saves per goal conceded. He will be hoping to further extend that ratio with his first clean sheet of the season this weekend.

Much like Stoke, West Brom will be looking to their keeper to deliver a big performance this weekend. Boaz Myhill, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, has already racked up 11 saves this season, at an average of 1.83 saves per goal conceded. He will also be looking to further improve on that ratio with his second clean sheet in three matches.

There will also be a crucial battle in the middle of the park this weekend with James Morrison and Xherdan Shaqiri looking impressive for their respective teams. Their performances and who can maintain their early season form in midfield this weekend may decide the outcome of this match.

Morrison, who has had a fantastic start to the season, will be the main man in the Baggies midfield. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us that he has hit the target with 80% of his five shots, turning two of those chances into goals. He has also completed 100% of his five dribbles and 87.7% of his 114 passes, and will be a vital tool to West Brom going forward. He is 6/1 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Stoke new boy Shaqiri made an impressive debut last week in the 1-1 draw with Norwich, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Shaqiri set up Stoke’s only goal of the game, completed 66.6% of his three crosses attempted and also completed 97.1% of his 34 passes. Even more pleasing to the Stoke fans will have been his work rate, having seen him win both of his tackles in the match as well, as he looks to get stuck in to the Premier League. He is 29/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

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