It’s come to this the last match preview of 2024/25, a season that has flown by where it felt like yesterday since being at Cambridge for Pre-Season and now I’m writing about our clash to Luton Town who are fighting relegation in the Sky Bet Championship.
The final game of the season is here, the Baggies have nothing to play for as play-offs has failed due winning just one of our last nine games and our poor second half of the season that has led Tony Mowbray to be sacked after the 3-1 defeat to Derby and now we’re looking for our third manager in just under 6 months.
Luton Town are 21th in the Championship where knowing a result here could confirm their Championship safety depending on if they better Hull City’s result who are 22nd, it is surprising to see Luton and Hull battling to stay in the Championship on the final day as last season Luton finished 18th in the Premier League just behind Sheffield United and Burnley whilst Hull City was battling with us on the final day last season to secure a play-off place and ended up in 7th one place short. Now both of these sides are trying to avoid playing in League One next season as they are two good sides I didn’t expect to see them both struggling down in the table this season.
Meanwhile, for the Baggies being 10th on the final day is considered not being a great season in general as we started off the season well after being top of the Championship after the first 7 games and after the Portsmouth game in September I thought we can gain promotion this season but since the Sheffield Wednesday defeat we’ve picked up 9 wins in 39 games where if we was on the same run as the start of the season we could still be fighting relegation in the Championship. I do think at the start of the season our target would be to finish in the top six again and a few additions to the side with Heggem, Holgate, Diakite and Isaac Price could help us get to that goal again but it seems to be a failure to not be up there despite our poor run at the end to this season.
Player To Watch – Luton Town
The one player to watch for the Hatters is Millenic Alli who joined our opponents in January from Exeter City. He has scored the winner in the game against Derby that has kept their survival hopes alive and has helped them in their three game winning streak.
Alli has processed through non league football where he has played for clubs such as South Shields, Ashton United, Chorley, Stockport County and FC Halifax Town and seems to be a feel good story as he scored 12 goals for Exeter in the first half of this season in League One that has helped Luton pick him up over the January transfer window.
As most of our opponents forwards like to score past us I do expect Luton to score at least a goal on Saturday as I feel Millenic Alli is the target we should be watching they also have a strong attack in Carlton Morris and Tahith Chong they do have a good team in attack and I am surprised to see them battling for relegation come the final day of the season.
Player To Watch – West Brom
Josh Griffiths has become a player to watch for West Brom following standout performances, particularly his man of the match displays against Cardiff City and Bristol City. In the match against Cardiff, he delivered a commanding performance in goal, making a series of crucial saves that kept his side in the game and gained a point at Cardiff.
Against Bristol City, his composure, reflexes, and control of the penalty area were again on full display that left us defeated 2-1 to Bristol City we could of lost by more if it wasn’t for Griffiths. These back-to-back performances have not only solidified his role as West Brom’s first-choice goalkeeper but also highlighted his potential at 23 years of age he could go on a be a good keeper for us in seasons to come.
My Line Up V Luton Town
The side for Luton Town, Josh Griffiths would retain his place in goal and I would keep the same back four with Furlong, Heggem, Bartley and Styles come in, in midfield I bring back Jayson Molumby to partner with Alex Mowatt, in attacking midfield Tom Fellows, Isaac Price and Mikey Johnston come in behind Adam Armstrong to play as striker.
Prediction V Luton Town
Predictions for the final game over Luton, in my predictions overall this season we would of won the Championship title with 106 points, it is mad to think that it could of come off but I didn’t think at the start of the season we would finish top on 106 points. I did however think we be in that top six again with the players we’ve got and Carlos Corberan being manager at the time if he was still in charge I think he would of just about kept us in that mix.
It has been difficult with the amount of draws we’ve had and then silly last minute defeats to Plymouth, Norwich and Bristol City, now we can put a end to this season on Saturday and hopefully go again for next season to try and aim for a promotion push for our 5th successive season in the Championship.
Lets go for my prediction for this game, Luton battling relegation and would go for it whilst not making sure they be the 2nd team we relegate in 2 straight weekends. It be quiet in the first 20 minutes of the game and then around the 32nd minute the Hatters would score first with Millenic Alli scoring from inside the box.
Near half time Isaac Price would try and equalise but the Luton keeper would make a crucial save to give Luton the lead at the break. In the second half early on Molumby would make a move to Armstrong who would then equalise to make the scoreline at 1-1 knowing Luton have work to do.
The Baggies would be all over Luton throughout the second half trying to get the lead into the game but around the 82nd minute, the Hatters would get the winner with Carlton Morris scoring from a header that would clinch Luton Championship survival and an end to our season that could make us finish 11th in the Championship.
Prediction: West Brom 1-2 Luton Town
A defeat I’m going for as Luton are on a really good run winning the last three games and did look down a few months back and now look certain to avoid being double relegated since Wolves in 2012-13. The Baggies are on a poor run and know their season is over and there is nothing to play for meaning Luton Town are playing for something and I can see them getting a result over us here as I know they would not get relegated as their team is too good as they was only playing Premier League football last season and finished 18th and did look likely they could of stayed up if they picked a few more results.
A defeat would be bad for us on the final day but I cannot see us getting a win here as our season is done and next season is what we are pushing onto right now.