Facts and figures ahead of Saturday's clash at The Hawthorns (ko 3pm)
THE most unwelcome of the international breaks is over and we can finally get back to business as usual in the Barclays Premier League.
Albion host Everton at The Hawthorns on Saturday and once again football stats website WhoScored.com are here to preview the clash.
Fans may potentially get the chance to see exciting summer recruits Joleon Lescott, Sebastian Blanco and Georgios Samaras - among others - running out on home soil for the first time and, for that reason alone, there is much to look forward to.
And yet, among all these stars arriving, there is a player already at the club who was at the centre of attention on the opening day of the season thanks to an incredible personal achievement.
It was Chris Brunt's 250th appearance for the Baggies against Sunderland and he deserves huge credit for his commitment and astounding longevity, which will likely see him remain a Baggies regular in spite of the many extremely impressive imports.
Baggies captain Brunt is now 29 years of age and entering his eighth season at The Hawthorns. He has pushed 30 league appearances in each campaign since joining and continues to be a threat going forwards thanks to his fantastic trusty left boot.
It is that left foot that has seen him develop statistically calculated strengths on WhoScored.com of crossing, key passes and taking set-pieces. The team are already a danger from dead ball situations, but with the possible added height and aerial ability of Samaras, Brunt's deliveries will have all the more chance of being converted.
In what will be his 254th appearance in Albion's colours, Brunt will be hoping to fire his team to a first win of the season against Everton.
Going back to the end of last term, the Baggies have lost only one of their last five matches on home soil and also have a great record against the Toffees.
They have lost only one of their last five at The Hawthorns against Everton and only two of their previous seven, winning four times and keeping a clean sheet in every one of those victories.
Everton are yet to win so far this season and have conceded 10 goals in their opening three matches, including six in a thrilling loss to Chelsea last week.
Brunt and his team-mates, both new and old, will feel hopeful of adding to that tally this weekend.
*WhoScored.com is a unique website and one of the fastest growing in the sports industry, specialising in the in-depth analysis of detailed football data. Provided with unique stats, they compile and create comprehensive analysis on the major European divisions, including live match stats and player ratings. Follow @WhoScored and their editor-in-chief @AliTweedale on Twitter.
All-time results record (League, FA Cup and League Cup)
Interesting facts
| PLD | W | D | L | F | A | GD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | 76 | 40 | 19 | 17 | 147 | 85 | 62 |
| AWAY | 80 | 16 | 17 | 47 | 100 | 169 | -69 |
| NEUTRAL | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 159 | 58 | 36 | 65 | 250 | 256 | -6 |
Interesting facts
Both Barclays Premier League fixtures between the two teams ended in draws last season, 0-0 at Goodison Park and 1-1 at The Hawthorns.
The first-ever meeting between the sides was in the 1888/89 old Division 1, where Albion ran out 4-1 winners on Merseyside.
New boy Joleon Lescott could make his debut for Albion against the club who sold him to Manchester City for £22million in 2009.
Albion defeated Everton 1-0 in the 1968 FA Cup final at Wembley.
Albion's first-ever Sunday fixture was against the Toffees at Goodison Park on Sunday, January 27 1974. The game ended 0-0.
Last time out
HOME: Barclays Premier League, Monday, January 20, 2014, Albion 1 (Lugano 75') Everton 1
AWAY: Barclays Premier League, Saturday, August 24, 2013, Everton 0 Albion 0
Form guide (last six league matches)
ALBION: LLLDDL
EVERTON: LLWDDL
Last league match line-ups
ALBION (v Swansea - away L 3-0): Foster, Olsson, Dawson, Davidson (Gamboa 72'), Wisdom, Brunt (Morrison 72'), Gardner, Mulumbu, Berahino, Dorrans (Sessegnon 45'), Brown. Subs not used: Myhill (gk), Baird, Yacob, McAuley.
EVERTON (v Chelsea - home L 3-6): Howard, Baines, Coleman, Distin, Jagielka, Barry, McGeady (Eto'o 70'), Naismith, Mirallas, McCarthy, Lukaku (Besic 89'). Subs not used: Robles (gk), Osman, Stones, Alcaraz, Gibson.
Everton team news
Former Albion striker Romelu Lukaku is expected to be fit after missing Belgium's 2-0 win over Australia. The frontman had been suffering with a toe problem but should feature at The Hawthorns. Samuel Eto'o and Leon Osman, however, will both be assessed.
Ref watch
Anthony Taylor will officiate the clash between the Baggies and the Toffees in what is his fifth full season as a referee in the Premier League. This term to date he has officiated three Premier League fixtures, handing out eight bookings and zero red cards.
Betting
Selected odds from Sky Bet:
Albion to win: 5/2
Everton to win: 11/10
Draw: 23/10
Berahino first goalscorer: 7/1
Draw 2-2: 12/1
If you fancy a flutter with the club's official online betting partner, click here.
Tickets
Tickets are on general sale to Albion supporters. Seats for this Category A fixture at The Hawthorns are priced £39 adults, £29 seniors, £25 under 21s/students and £15 under-17s. For more information, click here
Listen to live match commentary on Albion Player
Can't get to the Everton game? Tune in to Albion Player's live, full-match commentary from 2pm. To subscribe, click here.
For the first time, commentary will also be available to anybody with an FM receiver inside the stadium on 106.9. Check it out!
Follow our live matchday blog
Keep up to speed with all the matchday action and interact with fellow fans on our FREE blog on the Albion Wall from 2pm.
So, if you can't make it to the game, click here to join in the fun, and post your comments?