Halloween brings an intriguing Championship clash as the Baggies travel to London Stadium to face West Ham United in a 3pm kick off for their 13th league fixture of the season. The two sides meet for the first time in five years, with just one point separating the Hammers and the Baggies in the Championship table. With both sides looking to climb the standings, there’s plenty at stake in what promises to be a closely contested encounter.
Here we are, Baggies fans! West Ham United away — a fixture many supporters will be expecting to be a tough test for James Morrison’s side.
However, when you look at the Championship table, there’s very little separating the two teams. Albion sit just one point behind the Hammers, meaning a victory at the London Stadium on Saturday would see the Baggies leapfrog West Ham in the standings.
The Hammers come into this clash following a 3–2 defeat against Southampton, while Albion will be looking to bounce back from their frustrating 1–1 draw away at Preston North End.
It’s a fixture that could jokingly be called the ‘West Derby’, despite one club being based in East London and the other in the West Midlands!
But jokes aside, there’s plenty at stake. We’re now a quarter of the way through the Championship season, and both sides will be desperate to establish themselves as genuine promotion contenders.
For Albion, it’s an opportunity to make a real statement. After collecting seven points from their last four matches, the Baggies have shown they can compete, but they’ll need to be at their best against a West Ham side with promotion ambitions of their own.
Saturday isn’t just another Championship fixture — it’s an early-season promotion dogfight, with three massive points up for grabs.
Can Morrison’s men deliver a Halloween treat for the travelling Baggies faithful?
Player To Watch – West Ham
If there’s one player West Bromwich Albion need to keep a close eye on this Halloween, it’s Jarrod Bowen. The West Ham United attacker has the quality to become the Baggies’ very own Halloween nightmare at the London Stadium.
Bowen was tipped by many to be among the Championship’s leading goalscorers this season, and he’s certainly showing why. With six goals in 12 league appearances, alongside five assists, the Hammers’ star man has already been directly involved in 11 goals this campaign.
His pace, movement and eye for goal make him a constant threat, while his ability to create chances for teammates means Albion cannot afford to focus solely on stopping him from scoring.
Bowen is particularly dangerous when cutting inside from the right, where he can either unleash a shot or pick out a teammate in a dangerous position. If the Baggies give him too much space, he has the quality to punish them.
And with Albion having conceded the opening goal in six consecutive matches, keeping Bowen quiet from the first whistle will be crucial. The last thing James Morrison’s side need is another slow start against a player who can change a game in an instant.
For me, Bowen is undoubtedly West Ham’s biggest attacking danger heading into Saturday’s clash. If Albion can limit his influence, they’ll give themselves a much better chance of leaving East London with all three points.
Will Bowen give the Baggies a Halloween fright, or can Albion keep the Hammers’ danger man quiet?
Player To Watch – West Brom
One player I’ll be keeping a close eye on against West Ham United is Jimmy-Jay Morgan.
The young forward heads into Saturday’s Halloween clash having been credited with Albion’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Preston North End, a goal that rescued a valuable away point at Deepdale.
Morgan’s contribution could prove to be an important confidence boost as the Baggies prepare for another difficult Championship fixture.
With West Ham possessing plenty of Championship quality, Albion will need players to who can take their opportunities in front of goal. Morgan has shown that he can make an impact, and his energy and movement could cause problems for the Hammers defence.
For me, he’s certainly a player worth watching, whether we decide to start him or use him as an attacking option from the bench.
Could Jimmy-Jay Morgan be the man to deliver a Halloween treat for the Baggies supporters at the London Stadium?
Line Up V West Ham United
I’m sticking with the 4-4-2 that’s brought Albion seven points from their last four games. Morgan and Heggebø deserve an opportunity together, while Pereira gets another chance to prove himself. It might not be everyone’s preferred XI, but I believe this side can give West Ham a proper game.
Prediction V West Ham United
Now lets predict what would happen over West Ham United, last time I predicted a 3-1 victory over Preston North End but we ended up drawing 1-1 in a frustrating wet afternoon at Deepdale. Now lets see how I fare against West Ham in the London Stadium.
I’ve got a feeling something could happen in the opening stages against West Ham United, but this time, rather than conceding the first goal, I think Albion could be the ones celebrating! I’m predicting that Rabby Nzingoula will cause problems down the right-hand side, using his pace to get beyond his marker before delivering a dangerous ball into the penalty area. And who’s there to meet it? Jimmy-Jay Morgan! The young striker beats his defender to the ball and slams it home to give the Baggies a dream start at the London Stadium!
Then, just before half-time, the Hammers strike. Jarrod Bowen finds himself in a dangerous position and makes no mistake, grabbing his seventh Championship goal of the season to bring West Ham level. The Baggies being the livelier of the two teams throughout much of the opening 45 minutes.
West Ham nearly complete the turnaround when Bowen finds space inside the penalty area and fires towards goal, but Max O’Leary produces a brilliant save to keep Albion level. It’s a warning sign for the Baggies, who need to regain some control of the contest.
With Albion struggling to create the same opportunities they enjoyed in the first half, Morrison turns to his bench and introduces Felix Horn Myhre. The Norwegian brings fresh energy and creativity, helping the Baggies get back on the front foot.
Then comes the moment the travelling Baggies supporters have been waiting for! Horn Myhre picks up possession in midfield and threads a clever pass into the path of Jimmy-Jay Morgan. Morgan holds off his defender before laying the ball into the path of substitute Barney Stewart, who takes a touch and smashes his effort beyond Hermansen!
What an impact from the substitute, and what a moment for James Morrison’s side!
After looking the livelier team in the first half but being pegged back before the break, Albion have found a way to regain their advantage with just minutes remaining.
Could Stewart’s late strike be enough to secure a Halloween treat for the Baggies?
The referee blows the final whistle, and the travelling Albion supporters erupt into celebration!
After six consecutive matches conceding the opening goal, James Morrison’s side finally turn the tables with a flying start, courtesy of Jimmy-Jay Morgan.
Jarrod Bowen’s equaliser threatened to spoil the afternoon, but substitute Barney Stewart had other ideas, firing home an 84th-minute winner to secure a massive three points at the London Stadium.
Prediction: West Ham United 1-2 West Brom
Goalscorers for West Ham United: Jarrod Bowen
Goalscorers for West Brom: Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Barney Stewart
West Ham United come into Saturday’s clash following their 3–2 defeat against Southampton last weekend, and I believe this is a real opportunity for Albion to make a statement at the London Stadium.
On paper, there’s very little separating these two sides, and I expect that to be reflected in the match itself. I can see a closely contested encounter, with both teams enjoying spells of possession and creating opportunities.
However, I have a feeling Albion’s youthful energy could be the difference.
James Morrison has a young squad full of players eager to prove themselves, and if the Baggies can start on the front foot rather than falling behind yet again, I believe we’ve got every chance of causing West Ham problems.
The Hammers have reportedly been dealing with injury concerns, but that doesn’t mean we should underestimate them. With players like Jarrod Bowen capable of producing something special, Albion will need to remain switched on throughout the 90 minutes.
Interestingly, when I look at our upcoming fixtures, I’m actually more concerned about facing Southampton at The Hawthorns on Tuesday night than I am about travelling to West Ham on Saturday.