This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
West Bromwich Albion have plenty of work to do tonight after they saw their Championship lead slip over the weekend, but that was only because they weren’t in action.
Although, the Baggies face no easy test as they head to Lancashire to face playoff-hunting Preston North End, who are managed by a very familiar name.
Leeds United soared to a resounding 4-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday meaning they overtook Albion to snatch first place by just a point – a win here tonight would see them regain their throne.
Earlier this summer, sporting and technical director Luke Dowling made the decision to appoint Slaven Bilic as their next manager, and so far, it looks like a phenomenal decision with the west Midlanders only losing the one game this season, four fewer than this time last term.
Tonight, the Croatian goes to war with, what was to be believed, Dowling’s original target for the job – Alex Neil.
The Telegraph reported back in April that the 38-year-old was one of the front-runners to take charge at the Hawthorns with the club ‘poised’ to pay around £650k in compensation to clinch him.
Albion weren’t aggressive enough which allowed tonight’s opponents to offer him a new contract, and thus, they missed out on the 2015 Championship playoff-winning boss.
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However, their decision to opt for the former West Ham manager could be fully vindicated tonight if the Baggies can keep their title push rolling with a victory at Deepdale.
The Lilywhites are currently sat in sixth position, some eight points behind West Brom and face several injury concerns going into tonight’s fixture.
Meanwhile, a draw will not be enough for Albion to rise back to the summit as Marcelo Bielsa’s side possess a superior goal difference.
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