The Baggies travel to Deepdale this Saturday afternoon to face Preston North End, as James Morrison’s Baggies look to make it three consecutive Championship victories. Following dramatic comeback wins against Wrexham and Blackburn Rovers, Albion will be hoping to build on their recent momentum and secure another important three points on the road. However, can the Baggies finally avoid another slow start, or will Preston bring their winning run to an end?
It comes after two brilliant back-to-back comebacks from James Morrison’s Baggies. First, Albion fought back from 1-0 down away at Wrexham to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory, before producing an even more remarkable turnaround at The Hawthorns last Saturday. Despite finding themselves 2-0 down inside just 12 minutes against Blackburn Rovers, Albion showed incredible fighting spirit to battle back and snatch all three points with a thrilling 3-2 victory thanks to a last-minute winner from Felix Horn Myhre. Now, the Baggies will be hoping to carry that momentum into Saturday’s trip to Deepdale and make it three consecutive Championship wins!
Our opponents, Preston North End, currently find themselves rock bottom of the Championship table with just four points from their opening 11 matches. It’s been a difficult start to the season for the Lilywhites, who parted company with manager Paul Heckingbottom after just seven games, while the summer departure of influential midfielder Ben Whiteman to Wrexham has certainly not helped their situation.
With nine defeats, just one victory and only four points to their name, Preston are struggling for form and confidence. In contrast, James Morrison’s Baggies head to Deepdale sitting on 20 points and comfortably occupying a play-off position for the time being. However, as Albion supporters know all too well, facing a struggling side doesn’t always guarantee three points! We only have to look back to last season’s encounters with Sheffield Wednesday, when Albion were held to a frustrating draw at The Hawthorns before suffering a 2-1 defeat at Hillsborough on the final day of the campaign. Despite the contrasting league positions, Morrison’s men cannot afford to underestimate Preston, who will be desperate to turn their fortunes around in front of their own supporters.
Player To Watch – Preston North End
Despite Preston North End’s difficult start to the Championship season, one player who has caught the eye is 22-year-old Alfie Devine. The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster has managed just one goal in 11 Championship appearances so far, but his performances have been one of the few positives for the Lilywhites.
With an average FotMob rating of 7.0, Devine is currently Preston’s highest-rated player, showing that his contribution goes beyond simply scoring goals. At just 22 years of age, the attacking midfielder still has plenty of potential to develop and possesses the technical ability and creativity to cause opposition defences problems. Although Preston have struggled for results, Devine is certainly a player Albion will need to keep a close eye on at Deepdale, particularly given the Baggies’ recent defensive lapses.
Player To Watch – West Brom
My player to watch for Saturday’s trip to Deepdale has to be Isaac Price. The Northern Ireland international has been in excellent form recently, finding the back of the net in both of Albion’s dramatic comeback victories against Wrexham and Blackburn Rovers.
Price played a crucial role in turning the game around at Wrexham before showing incredible confidence and composure to score a cheeky Panenka penalty against Blackburn, bringing the Baggies level at 2-2. His energy, creativity and willingness to get forward have made him an increasingly important player in James Morrison’s side, and he’s certainly growing in confidence with every performance.
With Albion looking to make it three consecutive Championship victories, Price could once again prove to be the difference-maker against a struggling Preston side. Can he make it three goals in three games and help the Baggies secure another massive three points?
Line Up V Preston North End
For Saturday’s trip to Deepdale, I would stick with the same back four that started against Blackburn Rovers, keeping some consistency in defence despite conceding twice in the opening 12 minutes last weekend. The one change I would make in central midfield is bringing Ousmane Diakité into the starting XI in place of the injured Toby Collyer, giving Albion some extra physicality and defensive cover in the middle of the park.
Out wide, I would go with Isaac Price and Rabby Nzingoula, with both players capable of providing energy, creativity and attacking support. Up front, I would continue with the partnership of Aune Heggebø and Barney Stewart, with Stewart deserving another start after his goal against Blackburn.
Playing two strikers could give Preston’s defence plenty to think about, particularly with Heggebø’s physical presence and Stewart’s movement. After two consecutive comeback victories, I’m hoping this line-up can help Albion take control of the game from the first whistle rather than having to fight their way back into it once again!
Prediction V Preston North End
Prediction over Preston North End, last time out I said we win 2-1 against Blackburn Rovers and I said we win but it was a 3-2 after a comeback in the late stages. Now lets see how I fare against Preston North End at Deepdale.
I predict it will be a fairly quiet opening ten minutes at Deepdale, with neither side offering much of an attacking threat as both teams look to settle into the game. Albion will be hoping to avoid another slow start after falling behind in their previous two matches, while Preston will be looking to build some confidence in front of their home supporters.
Around the 26th minute mark, the Baggies would have a penalty as Aune Heggebo is taken out by Andrew Hughes, Isaac Price would then pick up from where he left off from last Saturday’s Panenka penalty to then put the Baggies in front at the Deepdale. Before half time, we would then double our advantage this time with Barney Stewart who then fires home to put the side in a well earned lead at the break.
In the second half, Preston would get a early goal with Alfie Devine beating George Campbell to slot home to give the struggling Championship side a lifeline against a promotion chasing side, Preston would then try to make it 2-2 with Max O’Leary making a wonderful save to deny them any further, we won’t see much of Preston again in this game and around the 88th minute mark substitute Jimmy-Jay Morgan would finish the game off with a cross from Harry Whitwell to win us the game and get our 3rd successive win in the Championship since September 2024.
Prediction: Preston North End 1-3 West Bromwich Albion
Goalscorers for Preston North End: Alfie Devine
Goalscorers for West Bromwich Albion: Isaac Price, Barney Stewart, Jimmy-Jay Morgan
A 3-1 win I’m going for at the Deepdale Stadium on Saturday, I don’t think it be a walkover because they are bottom of the league, just look how Sheffield Wednesday played against us last season and won 4 points against us to finishing on positive points of 0. Preston North End could have a run but they do have Championship quality in Alfie Devine and Ben Doak, they are missing Ben Whiteman and haven’t replaced him so in that reason the Baggies would come out on top.