Premier League fixtures are scattered far and wide this week but, with Tottenham Hotspur in action on Monday and Leicester City not due to play until next Sunday, the Gunners versus the Baggies at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday looks the pick of the midweek ties. As has often been the case this season, Arsenal failed to convert possession into three points at home to Crystal Palace last week and, having collected just eight points from the last 18 available at the Emirates, even their place in next season’s Champions’ League is under threat.

West Brom haven’t exactly set the world on fire lately, drawing 0-0 against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and going down 2-1 to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium before Saido Berahino missed two second-half penalties in the 1-0 defeat by Watford at the Hawthorns last week. They have less to play for than Arsene Wenger’s side, but it’s worth remembering that they won the reverse fixture 2-1, despite conceding the majority of possession to the Gunners and, like their manager, are typified by resilience and belief.

Granted Arsenal’s lacking of finishing power at home in recent weeks, home fans and anyone who lays odds of 2/7 look in for a jittery time. The Baggies look outstanding value at 14/1 for an away win, but in a search of a bumper payday, let’s try a repeat of the previous 2-1 scoreline at 40/1 with Bet365 (who’ll refund your stake as a free bet if the match finishes 0-0).

Selection: West Bromwich Albion to win 2-1 (40/1 with Bet365)