West Bromwich Albion vs Fulham betting preview

West Brom Form: LWWDLL

Despite defeat on a boggy pitch at Old Trafford, West Brom are still further up the table than they would have imagined at the start of the season. Sitting in seventh position, they have fared better than most pundits predicted preseason and their impressive home record is a major reason why. Having won seven of their ten league games at home this season they will look to maintain this impressive form and will take the game to Fulham and create plenty of scoring chances. Choose a free bet for this match here.

Romelu Lukaku has begun to show his class during recent with his raw power and pace causing troubles for some very experienced defenders and facilitating the scoring of six goals in the league this season. Comparisons with Didier Drogba may be a little bit premature but the potential is there and his aerial threat is up there with the best in the league.  Like many clubs, holding onto their best players during this January window will be imperative if they are to continue their outstanding and somewhat surprising form in the first half of the season.

Fulham Form: LDLLWL

After a fairly solid start to the season, Fulham have really begun to struggle now.  Defeat at home to Swansea means they are now in fourteenth position in the league and have gone four games since their win over Newcastle. Away games are almost written off by Fulham fans but there remain positives in their displays and Martin Jol will believe he has the players to win this game. Ruiz is on his way back from injury and his link up play with Berbatov could be key to deciding Fulham’s fate for this season. The Costa Rican leads the way for Fulham with five assists despite playing several fewer games than his colleagues due to injury.

Dimitar Berbatov leads the way for Fulham in terms of goals and has been a step up from most of his colleagues. Steve Sidwell has carried something of a threat from midfield, contributing four goals. The midfield is an area where Fulham seem to struggle; a lack of a player to carry the ball from deep and inconsistent wingers has resulted in the midfield often getting overrun. The midfield problems are fairly unlucky due to the departures of Dembele and Dempsey very late in the summer transfer window. It left a gap in the team and Jol may use any left –over funds to strengthen this department in January.

Betting Preview

Fulham have been poor away from home for a number of years now and this season has been no different. West Brom will be clear favourites for this game and will expect to win it. Head to head, Fulham can boast twice as many wins as West Brom but on Tuesday Steve Clarke’s men will not be affected by this and will expect to score a couple of goals in a winning performance.

There have been over 2.5 goals in eight of Fulham’s last ten games and this has largely been due to Fulham’s leakiness at the back. The starting line ups are always hard to predict at this time of year as the games are coming thick and fast. Should he start, Lukaku looks likely to score perhaps being supplied by a pinpoint cross from winger Chris Brunt. As far as the result goes, West Brom should really be winning this game and if Fulham’s away form this season continues then there should be a few goals in the game too.

Highlighted Bets

Lukaku anytime, 9/5 with PaddyPower
West Brom to win, 1/1 with Bet365
West Brom Clean Sheet, 7/4 with SkyBet

Enjoy a £10 free bet with Stan James – simply open an account and bet £10 and Stan James will give you a free £10 bet! Click here to get this offer. Make sure you also check out our betting tips section for previews of other upcoming fixtures, and our Paypal betting guide.

Article by Ryan Moore

*Click here for all the latest odds on upcoming football matches