Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs. Tottenham Hotspur

West Bromwich Albion host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon as they look to record their first victory of 2013.

The Baggies' form has dipped since the turn of the year and after once looking like they would be challenging for European qualification, they have slumped to ninth place in the Premier League table.

Manager Steve Clarke will be without the services of midfielder George Thorne after he suffered a knee injury against Everton in midweek, while Shane Long could return to the starting lineup after netting at Goodison Park.

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas will be expecting a response from his side after two disappointing displays in the space of seven days.

Spurs were dumped out of the FA Cup by Leeds United last weekend before they had to rely on a late Gareth Bale goal to snatch a point at Carrow Road against Norwich City.

Villas-Boas could hand a first start to new signing Lewis Holtby.

Recent form

West Bromwich Albion: LDLLDL

Tottenham Hotspur: WWDDLD

Possible starting lineups

West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Olsson, Popov, McAuley, Jones; Yacob, Brunt, Thomas, Dorrans; Lukaku, Long

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris; Vertonghen, Dawson, Walker, Assou-Ekotto; Holtby, Lennon, Parker, Bale, Dembele; Defoe

Sports Mole says: 1-2