A true test for the Baggies
Newcastle saw of plucky Oxford in the last round of the FA Cup only to be handed a tie with Championship table-toppers West Brom. Can they avoid defeat against the second tier's best side? Have a read of our preview here:
Baggies test their progress
West Brom know they will have a big test should they win promotion back to the Premier League at the end of this season. The top division of English football is ruthless and has chewed up and spat out many sides who looked too good for the Championship.
This fifth-round tie against Steve Bruce’s Magpies will offer them a good test to see how much progress they have really made this season over past attempts to return.
They have lost only three at home all season, taking 31 points from 18 games, however, a 1-0 defeat at the weekend to lowly Wigan has shown there is still a lot of work to be done if they are to secure promotion.
Matheus Pereira is their star, but Slaven Bilic has been brave, playing a brand of attacking football that West Brom fans really appreciate and it is for this reason they should give Newcastle a really good game.
Another tricky tie for Newcastle
Newcastle have lacked a cutting edge this season which has seen them struggled to win games in the Premier League.
Their seven goalless draws are more than any other top-flight side and the fact they have not won in their last five league games is not a huge surprise.
Newcastle have scored a league-low 24 goals in the Premier League this season, highlighting where they have been weakest.
The FA Cup can be a refuge to sides that are struggling domestically but they will probably have to be better than they were in the last round where they allowed a two-goal lead to slip, eventually needing extra time to beat League One outfit Oxford.
Allan Saint-Maximin was their hero in that game, netting the late winner and he could again prove vital for the Magpies.
Even the less than prolific Joelinton managed to bag himself a goal at the Kassam Stadium, showing that form often goes out of the window where cup competitions are concerned, so could this be Newcastle’s year?
The Baggies will certainly be hoping not.
West Brom v Newcastle betting tip
This game promises to be an interesting one for all concerned. The Baggies can really test their Premier League credentials as the take on the Magpies at home. They have been strong at the Hawthorns this season so we are backing a West Brom win at odds of 13/8 with Betfair.
Post bet chat James's Tips:
Newcastle produced an impressive display to ensure they saw off the Baggies