West Brom vs Wolves prediction: ENGLAND: FA Cup betting tips on match 2024-01-27 11:45.
The first Black Country derby played in front of fans in over a decade between West Brom and Wolves stands out as one of the marquee ties from the FA Cup fourth round. The maiden meeting between these sides back in January 1886 was played in this competition, with the Baggies emerging 3-0 victors, part of an impressive record of losing just one of 11 previous encounters in the FA Cup (W8, D2).
More recent history also stands with Carlos Corberán’s men, with West Brom losing just one of the last ten meetings in any competition (W6, D3). A top-five standing in the Championship indicates that the Baggies are well prepared for a hotly-contested derby clash, as does an imperious home record that’s seen only runaway league leaders Leicester leave the Hawthorns victorious since early September (W8, D3).
It’s Wolves that come into this clash as the favourites though, with the Old Gold unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions (W4, D2) and occupying a comfortable mid-table position in the Premier League. Gary O’Neil’s men have their sights set on a fifth-round appearance for only the second time since reaching the semi-finals back in 2019.
Having already come through a replay against Brentford in the previous round, Wolves will certainly be confident. But while they’re unbeaten in their last three road trips (W1, D2), they’ve emerged victorious just once from their last seven (D2, L4) – a record they’ll be desperate to correct as they go in search of a first victory at the Hawthorns since September 1996!
Players to watch: West Brom striker Brandon Thomas-Asante sat out their third-round victory over Aldershot, but he’s proved a cup specialist having scored three times in as many appearances for the Baggies. Wolves have a forward in fine form of his own in Matheus Cunha, whose goal and assist in the replay against Brentford makes up part of ten direct goal contributions in his last 12 matches (G5, A5).
Hot stat: Wolves haven’t been knocked out of the FA Cup by lower-league opposition since defeat to Luton in 2012/13.