West Brom host Wolves in a huge FA Cup fourth round clash this weekend.
West Brom welcome Midlands rivals Wolves to The Hawthorns on Sunday, in a fixture that has provided fans with some memorable moments over the years.
There’s the Peter Odemwingie hat-trick during a 5-1 Baggies win at Molineux back in 2012, then way back in 1996 was Wolves’ 4-2 win at the home of West Brom; their last win at The Hawthorns.
A lot has changed since then and a lot has happened; Wolves remain in the top flight whilst West Brom are pushing to get back there.
Off the field, it’s not a great time for the Baggies are desperately need this ongoing takeover saga to have a positive ending.
But journalist Chris Lepkowski has explained why this Wolves clash is a timely bonus for Carlos Corberan‘s side.
Chris Lepkowski says Wolves draw is a huge financial boost for West Brom
Speaking on the Liquidator Podcast, journalist Lepkowski revealed why West Brom drawing Wolves at home in the FA Cup fourth round is a huge boost for the Baggies.
“Drawing Wolves is a real bonus for us financially,” he said. “We’ve spoken about our financial issues, we’ve spoken about the issues of waiting for a takeover that we hope will happen, but we don’t know when it’ll happen, and to get a full house in what is traditionally a low-attendance fixture, a fourth round tie, I think is such a bonus.”
And co-host Adrian Goldberg went on to add that, to his understanding, both teams competing in an FA Cup clash receive 45% of gate revenue, with the remaining 10% added into a shared pot for all of the other teams in the cup.
Potential buyers will want to see a full house
West Brom appear to have a preferred bidder; US businessman Shilen Patel.
He’s one of three names who’s reportedly placed a credible bid to current owner Guochuan Lai and Pitel and his rival bidder will surely be keen to see The Hawthorns full.
A full house will really show the prospective owner of the club what the team, the fans, and the town is all about, and the type of occasions that really matter to the club.
This Wolves game is a huge one on the calendar for fans of both sets of clubs, and like Lepkowski points out, it comes at a great time for West Brom whose financial situation remains perilous.
What’s more is that the winner of this game will pocket £120,000 in prize money.