A Midlands Derby awaits on Tuesday evening as the Baggies are facing Birmingham City at St Andrews Stadium, for a Championship clash under the lights.
Another game in the space of 3 days and what could of been a Valentine’s Day Clash between two Midland rivals due to advancing in the FA Cup 4th Round. It looks like I be spending that day in Norwich not exactly the Valentine’s Day setting fans had in mind.
Last time out, the Baggies moved out of the relegation zone with a 0-0 to Stoke City which may of been a positive for us but there was many positives to take out of it and was probably our best performance under Eric Ramsay. Can we follow the performance from Saturday and to end Birmingham’s unbeaten home record in two seasons with a win that could end our barren poor run of form away from home?
Player To Watch – Birmingham City
Jay Stansfield should absolutely be the player to watch for Birmingham on Tuesday night. The forward has been one of their most influential attackers all season, contributing 9 goals and 5 assists, showing he’s not just a goalscorer but also a creator. His ability to find space, link play, and get shots off under pressure makes him a constant threat — something that will be a real test for the Albion defence.
Stansfield was also a key figure in Birmingham’s promotion season to League One, proving he can perform when it matters most and step up in big games. That blend of experience, confidence, and end-product means Norwich will need to be switched on defensively from the first whistle if they want to keep him quiet.
In short: he’s a proven match-winner, directly involved in 14 goals this season, and a real danger in transition or in the box — definitely the man the Albion defence can’t afford to lose sight of on Tuesday night.
Player To Watch – West Brom
If he does get on, Ollie Bostock should be the player to watch for the Baggies. If he comes off the bench on Tuesday evening, I genuinely think he could make a real impact on the game. He’s the kind of player who brings energy, fearlessness, and intent — especially late on when legs are tiring and the game starts to open up.
If the scores are still level, Bostock could be our key man to nick a winner, showing exactly what he’s made of after that eye-catching performance in the FA Cup against Swansea. He played with confidence, took responsibility, and didn’t look overawed by the occasion — which says a lot for a young academy player.
And honestly, if Eric Ramsay actually reads my match previews, this is the exact kind of moment where you give Bostock minutes. Trust the academy, back the young lads, and let them show what they can do. Sometimes all it takes is one opportunity — and Tuesday night could be Bostock’s.
Line Up V Birmingham
The line up over Birmingham City, I have a 442 formation for this one, Max O’Leary in goal, with two in the back of Chris Mepham and Nat Philips come into centre backs, Alfie Gilchrist and Callum Styles retain their places in wing-back.
In midfield Jayson Molumby and Alex Mowatt would play there with Mikey Johnston and Ollie Bostock who definitely needs a first start in league action or at least minutes, in attack Aune Heggebo comes back into the side with Jimoh-Aloba partnering with our top goal-scorer this season.
Prediction V Birmingham
Prediction away at Blues, I expect it to be cagey like the game over Stoke in the weekend, both teams would look to be up for it and I think the Baggies should be more to end their barren spell of not winning in the last 12 away matches.
In the first half, Blues would be all over us trying to attack from the off with Jay Stanfield making a number of chances for Max O’Leary to deny him and Ibrahim Olsen going 1 v 1 against the keeper that sees his attempt hit the post. The Baggies would have no shot or attempts in the first half and would be very lucky to go in the half still goalless.
Second half, there be a corner from Alex Mowatt and our first chance would go for Nat Phillips where his header would hit the crossbar. There be a free-kick for Blues around the 70th minute as Molumby would be lucky to not see a red card but escape with a yellow card from his challenge that could be considered dangerous. Blues free kick would be on target as Max O’Leary would maybe make the save of the season as their attempt would of certainty but the hosts in front.
Around the 85th minute mark, Molumby would make a smart pass for Ollie Bostock that would attempt to go past one of the Blues defenders and attempt to score and he succeeds that would give our fans a huge lift as he gets on the scoresheet that would possibly be our first away win since October. Blues would try their hardest to get the equaliser but it would be too late as they would get their first defeat at St-Andrews in almost two years as our poor away form hopefully can end here in Birmingham.
Prediction: Birmingham City 0-1 West Brom
Goalscorer for West Brom: Ollie Bostock
I’m hoping there be a few surprises on Tuesday evening and I’ve got huge belief we would actually win an away game for once and it’s probably going to be this one as Birmingham have a really good home record and never seem to lose at home, and we never seem to win away but as Albion do all things Albion ways I’m certain we break our 12 game duck and actually win this away game.