Another game at The Hawthorns this weekend as, less than 72 hours after the Southampton clash, we go again as play-off hopefuls Hull City make the trip to B71 looking to strengthen their promotion push. Albion will be aiming to bounce back quickly and make home advantage count in what promises to be another important test in the Championship run-in.
Last time out, the Baggies suffered another late blow as they came away with a 1-1 draw over Southampton who are chasing the play-offs, in a game where we should of easily got three points out of. Hull are 5th in the Championship and beat Wrexham in mid-week and now face us who are winless in 14 games in all competitions.
It has been positive in the last two games with draws over Sheffield United away and Southampton at home in the week. Can we take these draws into confidence that can get us a win here over Hull City?
Player To Watch – Hull City
As Albion get set to welcome Hull City A.F.C. to The Hawthorns on Saturday, there are a few attacking threats the Baggies will need to keep a close eye on. One name that stands out is Lewis Koumas, a young forward who will be eager to make an impression for a few different reasons.
Koumas, 20, joined Hull on loan from Liverpool FC in January after spending the first half of the season gaining experience with Birmingham City F.C.. The Wales youth international is still early in his career but already has a reputation as a lively and direct attacking option, capable of causing problems with his pace and willingness to run at defenders.
There’s also a strong Albion connection in the family. Lewis is the son of former Baggies midfielder Jason Koumas, who enjoyed two spells at the club and remains a popular figure among supporters. Because of that link, you can imagine the younger Koumas would love nothing more than to make an impact against his dad’s old side.
He’ll also arrive at The Hawthorns with confidence after getting on the scoresheet during the week against Wrexham A.F.C., and Hull will hope he can carry that momentum into Saturday’s Championship clash. Players at his age often thrive on confidence, and Albion’s defence will need to make sure he doesn’t get too much space to build on that.
Operating across the front line, Koumas likes to drift into pockets, take on defenders and link play in attacking areas. If the Baggies allow him time on the ball, he has the technical quality to create moments that can change a game.
Player To Watch – West Brom
Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Hull City A.F.C. at The Hawthorns, one Albion player who could have a huge say on proceedings is midfielder Ousmane Diakité.
The Mali international produced an outstanding display in midweek against Southampton F.C., earning the Man of the Match award after a tireless performance in the heart of midfield. His energy, ball-winning ability and willingness to drive the team forward helped Albion compete throughout the game, and it was exactly the type of display Baggies fans have been hoping to see more consistently.
Diakité brings a real physical presence to the centre of the pitch for West Bromwich Albion F.C.. He covers plenty of ground, isn’t afraid to get stuck into tackles and often breaks up opposition attacks before they can develop. Against a Hull side that like to move the ball quickly, that defensive work could be vital.
But it isn’t just his work without the ball that makes him important. When Diakité is at his best, he also drives Albion forward by carrying the ball through midfield and linking defence to attack. That ability to turn defence into attack quickly can be key in tight Championship matches.
After such an impressive showing against Southampton, the 24-year-old will head into Saturday’s game full of confidence. If he can replicate that Man of the Match performance, Albion will have a strong platform in midfield to take control of the game.
With the battle in the middle of the park likely to be crucial against Hull, Diakité’s energy and physicality could once again make him one of the most influential players on the pitch in the EFL Championship clash.
Line Up V Hull City
I go for the same formation in recent games for this one, I bring back Nat Phillips instead of Alfie Gilchrist in centre back.
In midfield the same pairing of Jayson Molumby and Ousmane Diakite comes in to the starting 11, in the attacking wings I bring back Ollie Bostock and keep Isaac Price and I keep Daryl Dike in the side but replace Aune Heggebo and give him a rest for Eseosa Sule who has impressed at Under 21 level in recent weeks that should be enough to give him the start he needs on Saturday.
Prediction V Hull City
Now the prediction moment, last time out I predicted us to lose 2-1 to Southampton I have put us to lose in both occasions to Sheffield United and Southampton but came away with 1-1 draws in consecutive times.
It seems when I’m not confident we normally do well or when I think we would get something we go on and lose. The Baggies are winless in 14 games in all competitions and sitting 23rd in the Championship and it’s the middle of March. However against Hull who are chasing play-offs I expect a difficult game.
I expect Hull City to come at us in the opening stages and within the first 10 I expect the visiting side to score with Lewis Koumas making a smart run to play for Oli McBurnie to strike home to give us a nightmare start.
With Hull getting the opener, I expect Morrison’s Baggies would make a response and within 10 minutes later they get the equaliser with Ollie Bostock trying to make an attempt but switches for Eseosa Sule to score in his first appearance for the club and to give the fans a huge lift of what this player would be like.
Around the 40th minute mark, the Baggies would receive a free-kick and Isaac Price would hit the post then for Daryl Dike to slot home to give us a 2-1 lead coming into the break.
In the second half, it be end to end with both teams trying to make a number of opportunities and at the end no goals would be scored in the half and hopefully the Baggies would come away with all the points and to move away from relegation trouble.
Prediction: West Brom 2-1 Hull City
Goalscorers for West Brom: Eseosa Sule, Daryl Dike
Goalscorers for Hull City: Oli McBurnie
A 2-1 win for the Baggies, don’t know why but I think it’s time to end this winless run and hopefully move away from relegation danger. I do think this side are playing under James Morrison and are doing their best to get out of this mess they currently in. I think the last two performances have been excellent if they follow this up I expect it be third time lucky and get a win here for the first time since December.