West Brom fixtures 2017/18: Summing up Albion's upcoming season

Overview

The Baggies are eased into the season, with their first five games against bottom half or newly-promoted teams.

There’s not much travelling around Christmas, with a short trip to Stoke on December 23 followed by two home games.

But it’s a tricky run-in with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Spurs in the last five.

Highlights

Supporters always look out for trips to newly-promoted teams, but many will have circled Spurs away on November 25 because Tottenham play their home games at Wembley.

Hopefully it won’t be the only trip to the Arch next season.

Lowlights

Any of the games that get moved to those ridiculous Friday night or Monday night slots for TV coverage, robbing supporters of their weekend fix and making it much more difficult to attend games.

The game is awash with money thanks to broadcast rights, but supporters are seeing very little benefit.

Don’t miss

Heading to a new ground is always fun, and September’s trip to Brighton’s new(ish) Amex Stadium will be a first.

The two Albions haven’t met for more than 24 years and if it’s sunny, it could be a cracking weekend on the coast.

Give it a swerve

Albion took 3,000 fans to the London Stadium last season, but as anyone who made the trip will tell you, they were sat miles from the pitch.

This season’s jaunt to West Ham is scheduled for New Year’s Day, and nobody wants to strain their eyes that much on a hangover.

One for Match Of The Day instead.

One the manager will fancy

Darren Fletcher and Saido Berahino return to The Hawthorns with Stoke for the third game of the season on Saturday, August 26.

Tony Pulis always wants to beat his former club, but his war of words with Mark Hughes over the Berahino transfer has given this fixture added spice.

Although he’s got a lot of respect for Fletcher, he’ll also want to give him second thoughts about leaving the Baggies.

Eyes on the pies

The Etihad Stadium may be a typical modern monstrosity with little character and its try-hard football village outside, but its beef bourguignon pie is an absolute belter.

But fans from round here all know that nothing will beat what’s on offer at the pre-season game away at Kidderminster Harriers, on August 1.

We’re here for the beer

Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium is the obvious choice, but if you’re a bit too young for the joys of a creamy bitter then why don’t you make a night of it when the Baggies visit Liverpool on Wednesday, December 13?

The city is bound to be jumping after a night game so close to Christmas, there are plenty of quirky bars to lose yourself in, and the locals know how to party.