West Bromwich Albion vs Everton. Premier League.
The HawthornsAttendance25,364.
Tuesday 26 December 2017 09:09, UK
Alan Pardew has called on West Brom's fans to get behind the team against Everton as they look to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
A 3-1 defeat to Stoke City on Saturday means that West Brom remain 19th in the Premier League table while Pardew is still awaiting his first win after five matches in charge.
Pardew said: "We need our fans to really help us against Everton. If we play like that and have our fans behind us it will be very difficult for anyone to beat us at home."
Sam Allardyce was appointed as Everton's manager just a day after Pardew was confirmed as Tony Pulis' successor but he has enjoyed a far more successful start at his new club.
Everton were 18th in the table when Allardyce arrived but after collecting 11 points from a possible 15 under his management, they have shot up to ninth.
After Saturday's 0-0 draw with Chelsea, Allardyce said: "We are well satisfied with a point moving forward with an undefeated run intact, four clean sheets out of six and we go on to try and develop more and try and be better in possession."
Nacer Chadli will miss out for West Brom after sustaining another thigh injury at Stoke.
Albion's club record signing was introduced as a half-time substitute at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday but only lasted a quarter of an hour before he limped off again.
Winger Matt Phillips (hamstring) has resumed training and could be included in the squad but James Morrison (Achilles) remains out for Alan Pardew's side, who are now without a win in 17 Premier League matches.
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye is set to miss the trip to The Hawthorns with a hamstring problem sustained against Chelsea.
Top scorer Wayne Rooney missed that match through illness, but could be ready to return on Boxing Day.
Centre-backs Ashley Williams and Mason Holgate were only fit to be substitutes at the weekend after flu and could remain on the bench.
The Baggies have lost their last three home Premier League games against Everton, last beating them at the Hawthorns in September 2012 (2-0).
Everton have come from behind to win on their last two Premier League visits to the Hawthorns - the only side they've come from behind to beat in three consecutive away games are West Ham United (2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15).
The Toffees' current run of three consecutive away wins vs West Brom is their best current run in the competition, while only at Man City (4 between 2008-2010) and Sunderland (4 between 2002-2009) have they recorded longer away winning runs in the competition.
West Bromwich Albion have lost each of their last three Boxing Day games in league competition - they've never lost four in a row on that day.
Sam Allardyce just does what it says on the tin and that is what they were hoping for at West Brom, was it not? It is alright West Brom saying they were unlucky, but I just do not see it. I think Everton will go there and frustrate them and win 2-1. It was easy when West Brom were 2-0 down at home to Man Utd the other week, as then they started playing. A defeat would be a shocking result for West Brom.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
