WEST BROMWICH ALBION v LEICESTER CITY
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 11th April 2015, 3:00pm
The Hawthorns

MATCH NOTES

The game will be the 107th league and cup meeting between Albion and the Foxes. The Baggies currently have 50 wins to their name compared to City's 34.

Albion's last game on April 11 came in 2012 when they suffered a 4-0 Premier League mauling away at Manchester City. The club's last league win on this date came in 1973, Jeff Astle, Asa Hartford and David Shaw (2) on the scoresheet in a 4-1 win over Everton at The Hawthorns in a First Division fixture.

Leicester's last game on this date came in 2009 when they beat Hereford United 3-1 in a League One fixture at Edgar Street.

The fixture has been dedicated as Astle Day, to coincide with the launch of the Jeff Astle Foundation. The Baggies will wear a retro 1968 cup final shirt for the game.

Albion have won each of the last four meetings of the sides.

The game is the first top-flight fixture between the clubs at The Hawthorns since March 1986.

Albion's last six games: Queens Park Rangers (H) 1-4; Manchester City (A) 0-3; Stoke City (H) 1-0; Aston Villa (A, FAC) 0-2; Aston Villa (A) 1-2; Southampton (H) 1-0.

Leicester's last six games: West Ham United (H) 2-1; Tottenham Hotspur (A) 3-4; Hull City (H) 0-0; Manchester City (A) 0-2; Everton (A) 2-2; Aston Villa (A, FAC) 1-2.

TEAM NEWS

Albion

Youssouf Mulumbu starts a three match ban following his sending-off in last weekend's defeat against Queens Park Rangers but Tony Pulis will welcome back defender Craig Dawson who has served his own suspension.

Callum McManaman could return following a foot problem but Ben Foster remains out due to his long-term knee injury.

Leicester City

Matthew Upson faces a late fitness test on a shin problem but otherwise Foxes' boss Nigel Pearson should have a fully fit squad to choose from.

MATCH ODDS

Result

Albion Win: 13/10, Leicester City Win: 11/5, Draw: 11/5.

First Goalscorer

Albion: Berahino 5/1, Ideye 11/2, Anichebe 11/2, Nabi 15/2, McManaman 8/1, Sessegnon 8/1, Gardner 10/1, Morrison 12/1, Brunt 20/1, McAuley 20/1, Dawson 20/1, Fletcher 25/1, Lescott 25/1, Yacob 28/1, Baird 33/1, Olsson 33/1.

Leicester City: Kramaric 7/1, Ulloa 7/1, Nugent 15/2, Vardy 9/1, Mahrez 10/1, Lawrence 11/1, King 16/1, Knockaert 16/1, Cambiasso 16/1, Drinkwater 20/1, Albrighton 20/1, Schlupp 25/1, James 25/1, Huth 25/1, Hammond 28/1, Konchesky 28/1, Morgan 33/1.

No goalscorers: 17/2.

www.williamhill.com

REFEREE

Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)

Atkinson has taken charge of one Albion game so far this season - the 4-0 FA Cup win over West Ham at The Hawthorns in February.

He took charge of one Albion game during 2013/14 - the 2-1 win at Swansea City in March.

The West Yorkshire official has taken charge of three Leicester games this season - their 3-1 defeat at Manchester United in January, the 2-0 defeat at West Ham in December and the 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United in October.

Atkinson has handed out 137 yellow cards and eight red in the 37 games he has refereed so far this season.

A full run-down of Atkinson's history refereeing the Baggies can be found here

TICKET INFORMATION

The game is now sold out.

WEATHER FORECAST

Sunny, 10°C

FIXTURE HISTORY

The two clubs met for the very first time back in September 1893, the Foxes winning a friendly game at Leicester 3-0.

The first competitive clash between Albion and Leicester came eight years later in December 1901, the Baggies winning a Second Division fixture 3-0 at Filbert Street with goals from Chippy Simmons (2) and Jimmy McLean.

The sides have met regularly in league football ever since with Albion having by far the better of results.

The Baggies' biggest win over Leicester came in March 1965 when goals from Astle (2), Howshall, Clark, Foggo and Williams helped a Jimmy Hagan led side to a 6-0 win at The Hawthorns.

Albion have hit six goals past the Foxes on two other occasions: 6-2 (April 1958) and 6-4 (September 1954), both games taking place at The Hawthorns. The Baggies have also scored five past Leicester in various competitions on seven occasions, the last of which came in May 1977 at Filbert Street.

Leicester's biggest win over Albion came in January 1943 in a Wartime Cup clash at Filbert Street. Denis Cheney led the scoring for the Foxes with a hat-trick in a 9-0 win.

Albion have had by far the better of recent games with eight wins and just one defeat in the last ten league and cup games.

A full fixture history between the two teams can be found here

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Tuesday 26 October 2010 - Leicester City 1-4 Albion - Carling Cup - Walkers Stadium
Friday 2 April 2010 - Albion 3-0 Leicester City - League Championship - The Hawthorns
Saturday 15 March 2008 - Albion 1-4 Leicester City - League Championship - The Hawthorns
Saturday 24 February 2007 - Leicester City 1-1 Albion - League Championship - Walkers Stadium
Saturday 9 September 2006 - Albion 2-0 Leicester City - League Championship - The Hawthorns
Saturday 26 January 2002 - Albion 1-0 Leicester City - FA Cup - The Hawthorns
Tuesday 9 April 1996 - Leicester City 1-2 Albion - League Division One - Filbert Street
Sunday 5 November 1995 - Albion 2-3 Leicester City - League Division One - The Hawthorns
Wednesday 12 January 1994 - Leicester City 4-2 Albion - League Division One - Filbert Street
Saturday 13 April 1991 - Albion 2-1 Leicester City - Second Division - The Hawthorns
Wednesday 21 February 1990 - Albion 0-1 Leicester City - Second Division - The Hawthorns
Saturday 9 September 1989 - Leicester City 0-3 Albion - Second Division - Filbert Street
Saturday 21 January 1989 - Albion 1-1 Leicester City - Second Division - The Hawthorns
Saturday 9 August 1975 - Leicester City 2-1 Albion - Anglo-Scottish Cup - Filbert Street

LAST MEETING AT THE HAWTHORNS

Albion 3-0 Leicester City
The Hawthorns
League Championship
Friday 2nd April 2010, 5:15pm

Albion: Carson; Reid (Meite HT), Tamas, Olsson (Mattock 78), Cech; Koren, J Morrison, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Brunt; Miller (Bednar 57). Subs not used: Kiely (gk), Cox, Barnes, Slory.

Goalscorers: Morrison 38, Koren 45+1 & 85

Booked: Carson 65 (time-wasting)

Leicester City: Weale; Neilson, Hobbs, M Morrison, Berner; King, Oakley (Adams 61), Wellens, Dyer (Vaughan 53); Waghorn (Gallagher HT), Howard. Subs not used: Logan (gk), Brown, Kermorgant, Spearing.

Booked: Waghorn 37 (foul)

Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire)

Attendance: 23,334

West Brom closed in on promotion and a return to the Premier League by brushing aside Leicester to claim their eighth home win in succession. James Morrison opened the scoring with a fine strike from the edge of the box - his first goal since January 2009.  Robert Koren then capitalised on a defensive mistake to slam home a second before the break and all but seal it. Leicester had several half-chances but failed to score and saw Koren add some gloss after rounding Chris Weale. The win leaves the Baggies just one point behind leaders Newcastle but more importantly opens up a massive 12-point gap to Nottingham Forest in third. With only five games to go, it would take a monumental loss of nerve not to secure one of the automatic promotion places but boss Roberto Di Matteo - who enjoyed success on his 100th game as a manager - will no doubt remain cautious. Leicester have now lost four games in a row but still maintain sixth place and the last remaining play-off spot.

Nigel Pearson's side had several chances but their failure to test Scott Carson cost them dearly.  In truth, the omens looked bleak for the Foxes from the opening moments. A free-kick from Chris Brunt was swung in from the right and some hapless goalkeeping from Weale allowed Jonas Olsson to glance a header against the upright. The Leicester keeper redeemed himself shortly after with an excellent reflex save after Ishmael Miller's shot took a deflection. But the visitors fought back into the game and held their own in the opening stages. Lloyd Dyer went close after a slippery run while Steve Howard was a constant threat up front. The Baggies often looked lethargic in possession but forged ahead just before the break courtesy of Morrison's first goal since returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury.  A Brunt cross was only half-cleared by the Leicester defence and the midfielder struck a bouncing ball on the half-volley from the edge of the area and watched gleefully as it flew into the top corner. The Baggies then wasted little time in doubling the advantage. Koren was in the right place at the right time when a Brunt free-kick caused confusion and slotted home in style.

The Foxes started the second half brightly, just as they had the first, but despite creating opportunities they struggled to make the breakthrough. Howard burst through and fired wide shortly after the restart before putting another effort past the opposite post after outmuscling the home defence. Miller wasted a similarly golden chance at the other end moments later when a hopeless backpass from Bruno Berner set him free but his attempted ball to Graham Dorrens went astray. As the rain began to fall heavily in the Black Country, the standard of passing started to deteriorate but Leicester continued to push forward and cause the Baggies problems. Michael Morrison wasted the Foxes' best opportunity, blasting over from only 12 yards. Despite all their efforts, it took the visitors 81 long minutes to manage a shot on target and when it finally arrived, Carson had little trouble in gathering from Nicky Adams. The hosts could have had a penalty late on when Gabriel Tamas' cross appeared to hit Berner's arm but the appeals were dismissed by the officials. However, the Baggies still managed to put some gloss on their victory. The Leicester defence allowed Koren all the time in the world to run on to a clever pass from Morrison in the dying minutes and the Slovenian obliged by rounding Weale in style.

 BBC Sport

CURRENT CONNECTIONS

Current Foxes' boss Nigel Pearson was assistant to Bryan Robson during his spell in charge at The Hawthorns. Pearson would become caretaker manager for a short spell following Robson's dismissal.

Craig Shakespeare, currently assistant to Pearson at Leicester, spent three years as an Albion player from 1990 to 1993. He would later join the Hawthorns' coaching staff.

Former Albion striker 'Super' Kevin Phillips is currently first team coach at Leicester.

Albion defender Gareth McAuley spent two years as a Foxes' player between 2006 and 2008.

Foxes' striker Chris Wood started his career at The Hawthorns, making his Premier League debut as a 17 year old in April 2009. After a number of loan spells at various clubs New Zealand star Wood joined Leicester permanently in January 2013. Wood is currently on loan at Ipswich Town.

PAST CONNECTIONS

Amongst the players to have turned out at various levels for both clubs are: Ian Banks, Roman Bednar, Trevor Benjamin, Tony Brien, Ally Brown, Billy Bushell, Franz Carr, Nicky Cross, Laurie Cunningham, Lloyd Dyer, Peter Eastoe, Ike Evanson, Graham Fenton, Marton Fulop, Billy Garraty, Phil Gilchrist, Mark Grew, Paul Groves, Jackie Haines, Billy Harper, Derek Hogg, Geoff Horsfield, Russell Hoult, Andy Johnson, Diomansy Kamara, Paul Kerr, Chris Kirkland, Steve Lynex, Des Lyttle, Lee Marshall, Joe Mattock, Peter McKennan, Roddie McLeod, Kevin Pressman, Arthur Randle, Arthur Rowley, Riccardo Scimeca, Frank Sinclair, Fred Shinton, Arthur Smith, David Speedie, Harry Trainer; David Walker, Gavin Ward, Winston White, Harry Wilcox, Paul Williams and Gordon Wills.

ALL-TIME LEAGUE & CUP RECORD VS LEICESTER CITY