Match Previews

Albion v Everton match preview

ALBION host Everton on Boxing Day as they look to start the second half of the season with a win.

The opposition  

Everton currently sit in the top half of the Premier League table having accumulated 26 points from their opening 19 matches.

They have endured a revival under new manager Sam Allardyce, who eventually took charge following Ronald Koeman’s sacking and an interim spell from under-23s boss David Unsworth.

This was all despite a seemingly positive summer for The Toffees after they brought in the likes of Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Wayne Rooney, Gylfi Sigurðsson and Davy Klaassen - though they did lose Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United.

Last time out 

Everton are the only remaining team in the division that Albion are yet to face this season, meaning our most recent match against them was during the last campaign.

Goals from Kevin Mirallas, Morgan Schneiderlin and Lukaku were enough to hand them a 3-0 win at Goodison Park back in early March.

The Baggies' last win over Everton was the 1-0 win on Merseyside in February 2016 thanks to Salomon Rondon's effort.

Stats

Albion

  • Chris Brunt provided his 45th Premier League assist in the game against Stoke, 21 more than any other Baggies player in the competition.
  • The sides have met once at The Hawthorns on Boxing Day - back in 1899 when they played out a goalless draw.
  • Gareth McAuley could make his 200th PL appearance for Albion if he plays against Everton.

Everton

  • The Toffees haven't lost since 26th November, when they were defeated 4-1 by Southampton.
  • Everton have kept three clean sheets in their five PL games under Allardyce - the same number they had kept in their previous 18 matches.
  • They have made the most clearances in the league so far this season (680).

From the archive

Here are the highlights from our 1-0 win at Everton in 2016.

Head to head

The head-to-head record sees Everton slightly ahead having won 69 of the 165 meetings between the two teams.

The Baggies have recorded 59 victories and there have also been 37 draws.

Man in the middle

Roger East will be the referee for the game, and he’ll be assisted by Adam Nunn and Derek Eaton - with Bobby Madley as the fourth official.

It will be the second time that East has officiated Albion this season after he was in the middle for the 1-0 loss to Huddersfield in November.

Ticket news

Tickets for the festive fixture are now on general sale.

Seats are priced £30 Adults, £24 Seniors, £20 Students & Young Adults and £12 Juniors.

You can buy match tickets online, in person from the East Stand Ticket Office or by calling 0121 227 2227.

Follow the game

Comprehensive coverage of the clash with Everton is available in our Match Centre, where you can listen to free live commentary on WBA Radio or follow our live text feed.

WBA Radio is the only service that allows Baggies fans around the world - from Smethwick to the Sahara - access to uninterrupted live commentaries from every one of our competitive games. Join Gez Mulholland and Dave Bowler for Baggies-biased live commentary on Boxing Day.

You’ll also be able to find score updates on the club's social media channels.

Twitter - @WBA

Facebook - West Bromwich Albion

Instagram - wba

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