WEST BROM VS MANCHESTER UNITED MATCH PREVIEW EXPERT ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION

WEST BROM VS MANCHESTER UNITED MATCH PREVIEW EXPERT ANALYSIS AND PREDICTIONS

TEAM NEWS

West Brom's former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans faces a fitness test after missing the midweek win over Swansea because of a calf injury.

Craig Dawson is available after serving a one-match suspension for collating five bookings.

Tony Pulis is again without Boaz Myhill and Saido Berahino due to injury and a lack of match fitness, respectively.

They are joined on the sidelines by Luke Shaw, although Chris Smalling is back and available, although he may have to settle for a place on the bench unless Jose Mourinho wants to use his height to help deal with Salomon Rondon.

Anthony Martial didn't travel with the squad in midweek but the reason behind his absence wasn't specified. He should return to the fold here unless he has picked up an injury.

Henrik Mkhitaryan will miss out for United after being stretchered off with an ankle injury in the win over Spurs.

Antonio Valencia and Chris Smalling return to the squad but Eric Bailly is a out with a fresh knee problem.

MANAGERS OPINIONS

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis said: "Manchester United are going to be a massive challenge for us tomorrow. They've drawn four or five games where they could've won this year.

"United are on an unbeaten run and they deserve respect. I think they'll finish in the top four. It'll be tough for us. Jose (Mourinho) is a top manager and he will get it right. They've got threats from everywhere, whichever team he picks.

"We will look forward to the game. We've got momentum, we're scoring lots of goals at home. Hopefully that can continue."

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said: "We didn't (yet) arrive at half of the race. That is the 31st of December. I'd say first half of (the) race would be almost impossible to be in the top four, but one thing is to be 15 points from the top four, another thing is to be five points from the top four.

"What we have to try and do in these three remaining matches is to try to be in a position that gives us a chance in the second half of the season.

"We are playing really well. If we can transform performances into results we'll have a chance."

WHAT WE THINK

• West Brom's 3-1 win over Swansea on Wednesday has lifted them up to seventh in the league and just four points behind Saturday's opponents Manchester United. They are flying at the moment and have scored 10 goals in their last three home games. In fact, since the start of November only Chelsea (18) have won more points than the Baggies (13).
• Manchester United secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since August with a dramatic 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday night and they must now turn their attentions to recording their win in three away to West Brom.
• Jose Mourinho's side are better equipped to deal with the festive period and the quick run of games could work in their favour ahead of this very tough match.
• PREDICTION- BOTH TEAM TO SCORE