West Brom v Everton - Match Preview

It all kicks off when Carlo Ancelotti’s men arrive at The Hawthorns this evening for a match neither men will feel should be taking place tonight.

Originally scheduled for March 20, the fixture had to be rearranged after the Toffees progressed in the FA Cup.

With a relegation six-pointer against Newcastle on Sunday, Allardyce has made it abundantly clear what he thinks about the Premier League’s decision to switch the game to this evening.

He’s described it as a kick in the teeth and has even gone as far to say it shows the powers that be don’t care about Albion securing survival.

The Baggies chief feels two games in four days will have a huge impact on the fitness of his players.

And the 66-year-old is desperate to beat Newcastle who are sliding ever closer towards the bottom three.

That has led to him making suggestions he will rest players tonight.

The question is, will he? Or is he playing mind games?

As crazy as it sounds given their position, the Baggies enter tonight’s game with some momentum. There last three game have seen them put in impressive performances against Manchester United and Burnley before beating Brighton.

And then there is the small matter that Everton last played on Monday night when they beat Southampton.

Allardyce is understandably concerned about fatigue. But his side have had two extra days rest over Everton heading into tonight’s match. And that surely makes an Albion result more likely if the boss sticks with his best XI.

“Well, that would be letting the cat out the bag, wouldn’t it?” Allardyce said, when asked if he will make changes for tonight’s game.

“I’ve been forced into a very difficult situation. I should just be preparing for the Newcastle game.

“But unfortunately, we have to face the task of them throwing in the wild card of Everton.

“We have to manage that better than we have in the past.

“Some of our failings have been because of the game load – three games in six days or three games in seven days.

“We have to show we can manage that because the games are running out and we need more points.

“We have to deliver in two games in a very short time.

“Whether that comes by changing the players or using the same players, that is a guarded secret.

“If we can get a draw against Everton that will be a great result because it keeps our run going.”

With Ancelotti being a boss that likes to tinker – and with Everton having a big squad at their disposal – Allardyce says it’s hard to know whether the Toffees playing on Monday will have any bearing on tonight’s game.

“I don’t think you can know how Everton are going to play,” he said.

“We have viewed a number of their games and there has been a number of changes and a number of system changes.

“I think Carlo, because they played on Monday, I think he will look at the load of his players.

“They have a squad so they might introduce different players who may be better in a different system. Everton, under Carlo, do seem more adaptable to change.”

With Allardyce wanting to maintain his team’s momentum, Albion are expected to largely be unchanged tonight.

But the boss does see Newcastle on Sunday as the bigger game.

“If we get a draw against Everton we can then go all out against Newcastle to get the victory,” he added.

“Yes, we are going to try to beat Everton.

“But I don’t think I’ll want to go all out and then throw it all away by losing.

“I’d like to have got by the end of his week – by the end of Newcastle – at least six points.

“When it comes to the end of Newcastle we’ll have a better idea of where we are.”