West Brom to earn Posh progression in FA Cup fourth round replay clash
Published:
Lee Gormley | February 9, 2016
Peterborough United v West Bromwich Albion
- FA Cup fourth round replay
- Wednesday, February 10th
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- London Road, Peterborough
- Live on BBC One
Posh and Baggies battle in FA Cup replay
Following an entertaining 2-2 stalemate at The Hawthorns last month, Peterborough United and West Bromwich Albion do battle once again in their FA Cup fourth round replay, with the Baggies having not tasted defeat in this fixture since 1994.
With such a dominant record in previous match-ups with the Posh, a run which has seen them prevail in five of their last seven meetings, Tony Pulis’ Premier League outfit are 13/4 with Coral to triumph in 90 minutes and both teams scoring.
Although, Graham Westley’s League One play-off hopefuls returned to winnings way recently with a narrow 1-0 domestic victory over rivals Chesterfield, and are 13/5 to reign supreme on home soil within normal time. Another draw would provide extra-time then potentially penalties and a second success stalemate is 12/5 to occur.
Injury crisis a Baggies blow
Arriving at London Road, West Brom will have a host of injury problems to deal with, with many of their key defenders set to miss out after recent knocks.
Former Manchester United centre back Jonny Evans is a major doubt due to a hamstring injury, while Jonas Olsson (hamstring), Craig Dawson (ankle) and Gareth McAuley (thigh) all suffered setbacks in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United, making them doubts.
Midfielder Chris Brunt is also likely to miss out, while wingers James Morrison and Callum McManaman will miss out, along with Tottenham loanee Alex Pritchard, who is ineligible to feature.
Such a backline headache for Pulis will be music to Posh ears, as they boast the title of League One’s second-highest scorers this season, though they will be without suspended duo Michael Smith and Ricardo Santos.
Aaron William, Callum Chettle, Tom Nichols and Jordan Nicholson are all cup tied and former Baggies player Adil Nabi is ineligible under the terms of his transfer to London Road.
Westley confident of Posh upset
Having forced a replay by twice battling from behind at The Hawthorns, Posh boss Westley is adamant his third tier side can shock their top division visitors.
“The cup is ideal for a club like ours,” stated Westley, whose men are 5/1 to win to nil. “It is a cup that rewards teams that play with flair, imagination, an attacking mentality, some devil. We’ve got all of that about us.
“That’s the game that we like to play. And if you’re brave and you’re attacking, you play open and you want to entertain, the FA Cup is definitely a competition that gives to you.
“We have to make sure that we score goals. We’re a side that will concede. We place our emphasis on scoring goals. Our work is on our pattern, our players, our routes to goal, making sure we get back to being the highest scorers in the country.”
Berahino to impact proceedings again?
It looked inevitable that Baggies frontman Saido Berahino would finally depart his current employers during the January transfer window, but the former England Under-21 international striker surprisingly stayed put.
The clinical poacher dispatched a deadly double in the initial cup clash on home turf, before a gallant Posh comeback, and he is 6/1 to bag another brace within 90 minutes, or 6/5 to simply get on the scoresheet anytime.
Having spent plenty of time terrorising the lower leagues in England before reaching his current heights, Baggies attacker Rickie Lambert has a history of scoring past Peterborough, with five career strikes against them. The former Liverpool misfit is 5/1 to net the game’s last goal.
For the hosts, former Tottenham prospect Souleymane Coulibaly is 7/4 to dispatch within 90 minutes, while Shaquile Coulthirst is also 7/4 to add to his goal in the previous meeting which helped set-up this fourth round FA Cup replay meeting.
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Coral’s top tip: Back Saido Berahino to bag another goal past Peterborough within 90 minutes at 6/5.
