The Baggies will be looking to bounce back when they welcome in-form Charlton Athletic to The Hawthorns on Wednesday night. They made an encouraging start to their Championship campaign, picking up victories against Norwich City and Burnley, but suffered their first league defeat of the season at the weekend as they were beaten 3-1 by promotion-chasing Middlesbrough.
Last time out, the Baggies suffered a 3–1 defeat to Middlesbrough, with plenty of controversy surrounding Will Lankshear’s opening goal, as he appeared to be offside. The officials failed to spot the incident, meaning the former Baggies striker will avoid a potential two-match ban.
Next up, Albion face Charlton, the only side in the Championship to have won all three of their opening games and boasting a 100% winning record.
But could another former Baggie come back to haunt us? Karlan Grant returns to The Hawthorns on Wednesday night under the lights — so is he destined to become the next victim of the infamous Baggies curse and find the back of the net against us?
Player To Watch – Charlton Athletic
Karlan Grant is certainly a player the Baggies will need to keep a close eye on when Charlton arrive at The Hawthorns on Wednesday night.
The former Albion forward scored last time out against Preston, securing a 1–0 victory that sent the Addicks to the top of the Championship. Grant’s 56th-minute strike was his first goal since returning to his boyhood club, and it helped Charlton maintain their perfect start to the season with three wins from three.
But could Grant become the latest name on the ever-growing list of players to haunt the Baggies?
It feels like the curse has already been working overtime. Harvey Barnes scored a brace against Albion in the League Cup second round, before Will Lankshear followed it up just days later with another two goals in Middlesbrough’s 3–1 victory. Now, it’s Grant’s turn to potentially upset his former club under the lights at The Hawthorns.
A goal from Grant could not only add another painful chapter to the infamous Baggies curse, but could also give Charlton their fourth consecutive Championship victory and further strengthen their unlikely position at the top of the table.
The Addicks were widely tipped by many to struggle this season, with concerns over the dreaded second-season syndrome after returning to the Championship. Yet, three games in, Nathan Jones’ side are the only team in the division with a 100% record.
Of course, it is far too early to start talking seriously about promotion, and Jones himself has played down the early hype. But if Charlton can continue this momentum, could their impressive start turn into a genuine promotion push?
And if Karlan Grant is the man who scores the winner against his former club on Wednesday night, the Baggies curse may officially carry on.
Player To Watch – West Brom
I haven’t done a Player to Watch section on Ousmane Diakité this season, but now feels like the perfect time to give the midfielder the recognition he deserves.
Diakité has quietly become one of the most important players in the Baggies midfield. He might not be the player grabbing the headlines with goals and assists, but his job is just as important — breaking up opposition attacks, winning challenges, intercepting passes and protecting the defence.
He has become Albion’s midfield shield, sitting in front of the back four and making life difficult for opposition players trying to play through the middle. His physical presence and ability to read the game allows him to disrupt attacks before they can develop into dangerous opportunities.
That was particularly evident against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup. Despite facing Premier League opposition packed with attacking quality, Diakité constantly put himself in the way of Newcastle’s attacks and made it difficult for their midfielders to get through the middle. He finished his 70 minutes with six tackles won — showing just how much defensive work he was putting in.
His importance has continued into the Championship too, starting all three league matches so far and playing both as a central midfielder and in the deeper defensive-midfield role.
For me, Diakité is the type of player you really appreciate when watching the game closely. While others may get the praise for scoring or creating goals, he is doing the dirty work that allows those players to play further forward.
If Charlton are going to maintain their perfect start to the Championship season, Albion will need Diakité at his best. His job will be to break up their attacking play, win the midfield battle and give the Baggies the platform to control the game.
He may not always get the recognition he deserves, but Ousmane Diakité has become the rock in the middle of this West Brom side.
Line Up V Charlton Athletic
I’d make a few changes to the side for Charlton Athletic. I feel Harry Whitwell may need a rest for this one, so I’d give Kareem Tunde his first start for the club.
I’d also bring Felix Horn Myhre into midfield to replace Jayson Molumby and switch back to a 4-4-2 formation, with Jimmy-Jay Morgan partnering Aune Heggebø up front.
Prediction V Charlton Athletic
Prediction for Charlton, so far I predicted in the league 2 draws and 1 win, with 1 result I got correct with it being a 3-1 victory to Burnley. I got the Burnley result correct but got the Middlesbrough score incorrect with a 3-1 defeat on Saturday. Now it’s time to see how it fares against high-flying Charlton Athletic.
I think Charlton would start being the better side and within the 12th minute we would suffer as Tyreece Campbell would beat his opponent to find Karlan Grant to smash it in to give the Baggies another curse with this time Karlan Grant scoring past his old side to be the next player to score alongside Harvey Barnes and Will Lankshear in the space of a week.
Around the 34th minute, the Baggies would attempt to get one back as Isaac Price would strike to finish the ball into the top left corner that the keeper wouldn’t save to put the scoreline at 1-1. Near half-time Jimmy-Jay Morgan would go down inside the penalty area for the referee to point at the spot to give the Baggies an advantage to be in front at the break and it’s Isaac Price who would find the finish to get his first half brace to give his side the lead at the break.
In the second half, it be quiet for the first 20 minutes with the Baggies trying to hold on and around the 69th minute Charlton would have a free-kick to give Max O’Leary a quality save to keep the scores the same. Around the 85th minute mark Barney Stewart would be close to get his first goal for the Baggies but would hit the post, with nothing in added-time I feel the Baggies would have their home form to be grateful for to end Charlton’s 100% winning record in the league and gain all three points on Wednesday evening.
Prediction: West Brom 2-1 Charlton Athletic
Goalscorers for West Brom: Isaac Price (X2)
Goalscorers for Charlton Athletic: Karlan Grant
I’m backing Isaac Price to continue his excellent start to the season by scoring another brace and taking his tally to six goals for the campaign.
If Price can maintain the form he has shown so far, I believe he could be the difference-maker in this game and help the Baggies come out on top. I don’t expect Charlton to maintain their perfect start either, as I can see their early-season form beginning to drop off after the opening four games.
West Brom should also be able to use their strong home form to their advantage, and I think the Baggies will do enough to hold on for a 2–1 victory at The Hawthorns.