With Carlos Corberan set to make the move to Valencia, West Brom look set to be on the hunt for a new manager and that is far from the ideal preparation ahead of their Boxing Day visit to Derby.
The Baggies currently sit seventh in the Championship and will still harness promotion ambitions, although Corberan’s departure adds an extra complexion to this fixture and it could be a nightmare at Christmas for them, starting with defeat at Derby.
Despite their lofty position, West Brom have largely struggled on their Championship travels and Derby will sense that they may be able to claim a notable scalp on the back of their 4-0 rout of Portsmouth in their previous home league fixture.
The Rams find themselves 16th in the Championship standings but they are six points clear of safety and have suffered only three defeats in 10 home league outings.
Derby draw no bet - 5/6
There is a big gulf in the current league positions of these sides, with West Brom sitting seventh and 11 points clear of 16th-placed Derby in the early-season standings.
However, with Corberan set to leave his managerial post for pastures new, there is a vulnerable look to the Baggies and they travel to Pride Park having won only one of their last eight away league games.
Corberan has done a sterling job as West Brom manager during his two-year stint at The Hawthorns and he is going to be a tough man to replace, so it is difficult to see them hitting the ground running.
Derby may be inconsistent and lack the individual qualities of West Brom but they tend to deliver in front of home support and their 4-0 win at home to Portsmouth a fortnight ago emphasises that point.
The Rams have lost only three of their 10 home league games this season and all five of their Championship wins at Pride Park have been accompanied by a clean sheet, highlighting their organisation under Paul Warne’s stewardship.
Only Blackburn from the current top-nine have scored fewer than West Brom’s tally of 26 goals in 22 games, suggesting that there is potential for the visitors to become frustrated.
So there is scope for this to be a cagey, low-scoring encounter and that would favour the chances of Derby, who look a strong draw-no-bet play to make the most of their familiar surroundings.
Tom Fellows to assist - 5/1
If West Brom are able to get on the scoresheet then exciting winger Tom Fellows may be the man able to carve out the opportunity.
The 21-year-old has announced himself as a player with a bright future this season and continues to cause plenty of problems for opposing defences with his pace and direct running.
Fellows is the joint-leading assist contributor in the Championship this season, with eight of West Brom’s 26 league goals having been created by him, and he is sure to give Derby a scare.
He has created 30 chances in the Championship this season and he looks a big price at 5/1 to grab a ninth assist of the league campaign.
Over 1.5 Derby cards - 8/13
Derby have amassed 48 yellow cards in 22 league games this season and they are likely to pick up at least two more in this Boxing Day battle with the Baggies.
The Rams have picked up two or more cards in five of their last seven league fixtures and West Brom have some tricky attacking players that are sure to draw a number of fouls.
In Derby’s last league game, a 2-1 defeat at Luton, they received three bookings and this looks sure to be a physical affair with referee Andy Davies set for a busy afternoon.
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Derby County - 13/8
Draw - 11/5
West Brom - 7/4
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.