Ismael Vs Jokanovic Round One
Goalless Sheffield United travel to Valerien Ismael’s West Bromwich Albion this Wednesday, with the Baggies looking to build on their 3-2 victory over Luton Town at the weekend. Slavisa Jokanovic’s men are yet to get out of the blocks, losing to 1-0 to Birmingham City on the opening day and sharing a 0-0 draw with Russell Martin’s Swansea City last time around. The Baggies come in as favourites in this battle of the newly relegated sides but they have bolstered their squad better in the transfer market and have blown away the cobwebs that were the 2020/21 campaign a little bit more.
Background
Having been previously employed at Watford, Jokanovic is no stranger to the brutal reality of management on the Championship to Premier League borderline, and therefore will be desperate for the Blades to earn some kind of positive result at the Hawthorns, to which a draw would represent. Sheff U marginally created the better chances at the Liberty Stadium in their last outing however still only managing 0.9 expected goals.
The floodgates will open at some point with the Blades boasting an impressive attacking contingent for the level and though the Baggies may not provide the match for that, they have already conceded four times in their opening two matches compared to Jokanovic’s men’s one. Throwing up a potential both teams to score angle to this encounter however on such small sample size an outright selection seems the more sensible play.
The Baggies have a squad more applicable to a Championship promotion, having achieved a second placed finish in the 2019/20 season, Ismael’s high octane style of play may take a few weeks to implement and given that initial change in direction, WBA have looked very good in the opening two.
Sheff U will be hard to break down and attempt to build on their goalless draw at the Liberty, John Egan and Chris Basham have established an excellent relationship in the heart of defence in recent years and digging in to gain a foothold in this match will be essential. Ismael appears the more dynamic man on the touchline, but Jokanovic is a wiley competitor with more experience at the level, it will be fascinating to see how this one pans out.
I am looking to get West Brom onside, they have looked much stronger in the infancy of the season.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A comfortable winner, 4-0.