West Brom Odds 2012-13

Best Title Odds: 3000/1 (Coral)

Value Bet: 6/1 (Boylesports) - Romelu Lukaku to be WBA’s leading league goalscorer.

Chelsea were willing to pay £18m for this 19-year-old last summer which tells you how highly he is rated. He scored for fun at Anderlecht and now WBA will give him his chance to shine in England.

Summary:

It’s worth remembering that the Baggies were relegation candidates before Roy Hodgson took over in February 2011. The England boss raised the bar and it’s a big ask for rookie Steve Clarke to keep them mid-table. The former Chelsea and Liverpool number two will hope Lukaku and Swedish international Markus Rosenberg can freshen things up.

Verdict:

History would suggest that great assistants don’t necessarily make great generals at the highest level. Clarke needs a good start otherwise best relegation odds of 4/1 (PaddyPower) will shrink raidly. He is also 8/1 (WilliamHill) to be first manager out the door.