Promotion could be just around the corner for Albion

Yesterday's vitial point at Reading when defeat seemed inevitable has spring boarded the Baggies to a critical nine point gap over third placed Nottingham Forest. With little over a month before the season comes to an end talk has turned to when promotion could be sealed.

With six games left to play it certainly looks like things couldn't be rosier for Albion, who could claim promotion by Easter Monday should results go their way.

Doubtless some Albion fans will have their eyes on top spot - Albion lie just one point behind leaders Newcastle United.  But the Toon have two games in hand over West Brom, one of which will be fought out against Nottingham Forest at St James' Park tomorrow evening - and despite some debate over what result here would be the best for the Baggies, a Newcastle win has to be the priority if automatic promotion is the ultimate goal.

Albion's nine point lead would be all the more attractive with Forest having played the same amount of games - currently they have played one less.  With 6 games left Forest would need to guarantee victories in at least 5 of that remaining six to stand a chance of catching Di Matteo's men. 

Furthermore, should Forest lose against Newcastle tomorrow, then fail to pick up a single point away to Bristol City on Good Friday, could see themselves totally out of the promotion race by Easter Monday - assuming that is that the Baggies can take advantage of a Good Friday home tie against Leicester City and grab all three points.  This situation could see Albion promoted at their away tie with Watford - a win here regardless of Forest's result at home to Cardiff, would keep a 12 point gap between the second and third placed sides with just 12 points left to play for.

Of course, all of the above is subject to Nottingham Forest's results - dependent on them picking up no points in their next two fixtures.  But two away fixtures at this stage of the season will not be an attractive proposition for the East Midlands side, who ironically have not won away from home since beating West Brom on 8th January this year.

It is also dependent on Albion's next two results.  A home tie against 6th placed Leicester City won't be easy, and with Watford scrapping for Championship survival at the other end of the table there are no guarantees here either.  And afterall...this is Albion we're talking about.

But in it's simplest form there it is - Promotion is a real prospect, and very soon.