West Bromwich Albion Vs Barnsley, Sun 2 May 2010

West Bromwich Albion Vs Barnsley: Match Preview

GMF Editor
Published 01/05/2010 11:22 by GMF Editor, read by 165 people.

Roberto Di Matteo may opt to tinker slightly with his West Brom XI but wholesale changes are unlikely as his side chase a record-breaking 93 points.

Monday night`s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace took Albion onto 90 points - their highest tally in a single season - knowing victory against the Tykes would eclipse the 92 recorded by Leicester in 2002/03 which stands as the highest total achieved by the runners-up in England`s second tier.

Sunday has been earmarked as the club`s official day of celebration for their return to the Premier League but that does not mean the Baggies will be taking their foot off the pedal, with their 3-1 defeat at Oakwell back in September fresh in the mind.

Goalkeeper Scott Carson recovered from an ankle injury to start against Palace and he should do so again.

Di Matteo named an unchanged starting line-up for the third successive game at Selhurst Park and could well stick to his guns, although the likes of Chris Wood - who netted a hat-trick for the reserves in midweek - present alternative options.

Barnsley will be without Daniel Bogdanovic, Anderson De Silva, Rob Kozluk and Filipe Teixeira for the clash.

Malta international Bogdanovic is struggling with a hamstring strain and could have played his last game for the club after turning down a new contract.

Midfielder De Silva has been sidelined since the beginning of the month with a thigh problem, Kozluk is still not fully match fit after his latest setback and on-loan midfielder Teixeira, injured anyway, would have been ineligible against his parent club.

Defender Carl Dickinson, on loan from Stoke, returned to the bench after a knee injury last week and could be recalled to the starting line-up for the final game of the season.

Manager Mark Robins, who has included youngsters Jacob Butterfield, Luke Potter and Alistair Taylor in recent weeks, is hoping his side can secure their first league win in 10 games.

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