Matheus Pereira is targeting more derby glory

The Brazilian scored twice as the Baggies secured a 3-2 win at Wolves earlier in the campaign.

A player with a knack for the finding the target in a derby, Pereira also scored against Villa last weekend.

That strike means he has now scored nine Premier League goals this season and also registered five assists. And the 24-year-old admits he is pleased with his form heading into tonight’s game.

“I think we are more than capable of winning the game,” the former Sporting Lisbon man said. “We won away last time we played Wolves and we deserved those three points. I managed to score two goals that day which I was really pleased about and proud of.

“It’s always special to score goals in the Premier League, but to score two in a derby and win the game was an amazing feeling for me and one I’ll always remember.

“On a personal level, I am happy with my numbers for what has been my first season in the Premier League.

“I have managed to score a few goals and contribute with some assists too. I am happy to have helped the team.

“Obviously I’m happy to be scoring goals and providing assists, but my main aim is to help us stay in the Premier League. I’ve scored three goals in derbies and I’d love to add to that tonight.”

Pereira says Albion are entering tonight’s game believing they can win it.

“We need to believe we can win,” he added. “That’s not based on the result we got earlier in the season, but on what we’re doing now.

“We’ve been improving, and I think the team goes into every game prepared.

“Yes, it’ll be a derby game. It’s special as always. It’ll be hard like any other game, but we’ve got good expectations going into the derby.

“We think our belief and positivity will lead to something.”