This weekend sees West Bromwich Albion make the short trip to face Stoke City in what promises to be a fiery clash between two Midlands rivals. Both sides are in good form the last three games with the Baggies won two and draw one however Stoke City have won all three games can we end their 100% record to the season on Saturday dinnertime.
Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday as we face current top of the table Stoke City, with the current transfer deadline day looming with news coming out that Darnell Furlong and Tom Fellows are making moves to Ipswich Town and Southampton and Chris Mepham coming from Bournemouth at the moment it’s looking like this could be a difficult game before deadline day.
Player To Watch – Stoke City
Viktor Johansson has been one of Stoke City’s most impressive signings, to late and establishing himself as their number one. The Swedish international is known for his excellent reflexes and bravery in one-on-one situations, qualities that have already kept Stoke in games where they’ve been under heavy pressure. His quick distribution also helps the Potters turn defence into attack, making him a valuable asset in a side that has often struggled for consistency.
From a West Brom perspective, Johansson is very much the danger man to watch because he has the potential to frustrate Albion’s attacking players. Stoke may concede chances, but with Johansson in goal, breaking the deadlock won’t be easy. If the Baggies want to come away with all three points, they’ll need to find a way past a keeper who is quickly earning a reputation as one of the Championship’s most reliable shot-stoppers and with Premier League interest.
Player To Watch – West Brom
Jayson Molumby is already a fan favourite for his relentless energy, but it’s the terrace chant that really shows how much Albion supporters have taken to him. To the tune of “Zombie” by The Cranberries, belts out “In your head, in your head, Molumby, Molumby” — a song that perfectly captures the midfielder’s tenacious, all-action style. It’s become a regular soundtrack at The Hawthorns, and you can guarantee it’ll echo from the away end at Stoke as Baggies fans get right behind their man.
That chant isn’t just a bit of fun, it’s a reflection of how central Molumby has become to this West Brom side. His famous brace at Stoke three seasons ago cemented his reputation as a player who thrives in these gritty, high-tempo battles, and the fans haven’t forgotten. With his tireless pressing and determination to drive Albion forward, Molumby will be looking to make more memories at the bet365 — and if he does, you can bet the Cranberries-inspired anthem will be ringing out long after the final whistle.
My Line Up V Stoke City
Line up over Stoke City, I would change the formation around due to ongoing transfers prior to this fixture, I would have a back three with new signing Chris Mepham from Bournemouth, Nat Phillips and George Campbell.
In midfield, I have Jed Wallace and Callum Styles slightly behind Molumby and Mowatt with Isaac Price behind a front two of Aune Heggebo and Josh Maja who I give his first start of the season.
Prediction V Stoke City
Last time out I did predict it be a tough encounter over Portsmouth and thought we score just once and we did just that but it ended in a stalemate that was a frustrating afternoon that saw a penalty call ruled out and now having Ryan Mason banned for this game over in-form side Stoke City.
Lets see how I could plan out this game, I say we would start slow with Stoke targeting a 4th straight win in front of a home crowd and have the momentum more after seeing us draw to Portsmouth at home last week. Both teams would be slow in the first 30 minutes of the game and before half-time Stoke would get the opening goal with Million Manhoef scoring from outside the box that would beat Josh Griffiths from the inside.
Stoke would lead at the break by 1 goal, and in the second half the Baggies would have a early corner with Mikey Johnston who just come on to take the corner that would give George Campbell his first goal in Albion colours with a powerful header to put us back in the game.
After the goal, we would be all over Stoke City with Mikey Johnston trying to get a few shots that would see Johansson making a few good saves, in the 73rd minute I feel Stoke would get another goal with Divin Mubama scoring from a Manhoef’s cross that would put them in the lead with over 15 minutes left to play.
However in the 88th minute, another Albion corner and Mikey Johnston’s cross would land George Campbell to try and get his second goal of the game but would hit the crossbar but Jayson Molumby would fire the ball into the back of the net and give us the needed equaliser before added time. Then a few chances near the end wouldn’t be enough for both teams to get the win and would end in a 2-2 draw here.
Prediction: Stoke City 2-2 West Brom
Goalscorers for Stoke City: Million Manhoef, Divin Mubama
Goalscorers for West Brom: George Campbell, Jayson Molumby
I’m going a for a 2-2 draw in this league game on Saturday dinnertime, I feel it could be a fair result but would be another tense game that has seen Furlong gone to Ipswich and Fellows going to Southampton would be a huge loss for us and would change the gameplan around and I don’t think we could win here on Saturday but normally I am wrong before I’m not confident before the game and go on to get a good result but I would personally take a draw here.