A Tuesday night Championship game awaits as the Baggies travel to London to face Charlton Athletic at The Valley for the first time in five years.
Last time out, The Baggies faced Sheffield Wednesday and came away with a 0-0 draw at The Hawthorns as we are winless in three games. Charlton had a similar result by earning a 1-1 draw over Swansea City.
Charlton who are newly promoted have had a decent start in the Championship this season as they sit in 8th, just two points below the play offs.
I expect this to be a difficult game for the Baggies as pressure is now on for Ryan Mason who fans have become extremely frustrated by his selection in recent games.
Player To Watch – Charlton Athletic
For Charlton Athletic, Tyreece Campbell will be the player to watch on Tuesday. The young winger has been one of Charlton’s most dynamic attacking outlets this season, combining pace and directness with a growing maturity in his decision-making.
His ability to stretch defences and create chances from wide areas has been central to Charlton’s recent good form. Campbell’s confidence in one-on-one situations and knack for finding space make him a constant threat, especially against a West Brom back line that has shown moments of vulnerability on the counter. If Charlton are to make an impact, it’s likely Campbell will be heavily involved in the build-up or finishing of key chances.
Player To Watch – West Brom
Nat Phillips is a player to watch for West Brom against Charlton because his presence could be pivotal in how the game unfolds defensively and physically. Charlton have been effective in attacking transitions and set-piece situations this season, and Phillips’ aerial dominance and reading of the game will be crucial in nullifying that threat. His calmness under pressure, coupled with his ability to marshal the back line, provides West Brom with the kind of defensive assurance they’ll need away from home.
Beyond his defensive qualities, Phillips also contributes to West Brom’s buildup play — his composure and range of passing from deep allow the team to play out confidently rather than resorting to long clearances. In a match where Charlton’s forwards, like Tyreece Campbell, will look to exploit any space behind the defence, Phillips’ positioning and anticipation will be key. His duel with Charlton’s quick attackers could easily determine whether West Brom keep control or come under sustained pressure.
Line Up V Charlton Athletic
Line up over Charlton away, I change the formation to a 3-4-3 I have George Campbell, Nat Phillips and Krystian Bielik in a back three, in wing-back I have Alfie Gilchrist and Charlie Taylor, in midfield I have a pairing of Alex Mowatt and Isaac Price with Iling Junior and Karlan Grant just in behind Josh Maja in attack.
Prediction V Charlton Athletic
Now onto predictions, last time out I said we beat Sheffield Wednesday 5-1 but I was wrong as it finished in a bore 0-0 draw on Saturday.
This time I do expect there be some goals in this one but I’m not confident we could get all three points here at The Valley.
I think the first 15 minutes it all be Charlton attacking and be them trying to eye the first goal of the game but in the 24th minute mark the deadlock be broken as Charlton’s Tyreece Campbell would get his first goal of the season and make it 1-0 to the newly promoted side.
After their first goal, the Baggies would look to get back into the game, Josh Maja would have an attempt where he be one v one through the keeper but his shot would hit the post and go over for a Charlton goal kick.
At the break, Charlton would be in the lead at 1-0, in the second half there be a few changes that would see Mowatt off for Daryl Dike on and see us playing three up front, in the 55th minute the change does not seem to work as Charlton would double their advantage from a corner that would see Lloyd Jones header the ball into the net to give a 2-0 lead and another frustrating evening for the Baggies.
Around the 70th minute, the Baggies would have a shot on target with Daryl Dike’s header making the Charlton keeper Thomas Kaminski make a decent save to stop us getting one back.
There wouldn’t be too much separating the sides after our attempts and I am sensing our bad form would carry onto Tuesday evening with a defeat to Charlton Athletic. I am going for a 2-0 defeat.
Prediction: Charlton Athletic 2-0 West Brom
Goalscorers for Charlton Athletic: Tyreece Campbell, Lloyd Jones
A 2-0 defeat here, it is the second time I have gone for us to lose this season as I am not confident of when we would get our next win from but it’s certainly not going to be away from home anytime soon. There are winnable games coming up and if we are not getting the results I am sure pressure is on Ryan Mason. I hope I am wrong and see how we can do at The Valley on Tuesday evening.