Back in league action this Saturday afternoon as the Baggies host Stoke City at The Hawthorns as they look to get over their 5-1 loss to Bournemouth in the FA Cup last weekend.
We come back into league action after 2 weeks following a 1-1 draw over Swansea with a late Joe Allen goal that denied us all three points and the first home game since New Years Day with a 3-1 win over Preston North End.
It has been 3 weeks since Carlos Corberan left for Valencia and still currently managerless but there have been talks with former manager Tony Mowbray in the last few days and he is odds on favourite to become our new manager, but it looks likely Chris Brunt would again take interim charge in this game against Stoke City.
Stoke are currently on a 4 game unbeaten run in all competitions and last time out they beat Sunderland 2-1 in the FA Cup and through to the 4th round, this puts them on the right schedule to play us on Saturday but the Baggies have won the last 3 home games on the bounce but can they win their 4th successive game at The Hawthorns over the weekend?
Player To Watch – Stoke City
Tom Cannon was going to be my player to watch but since he has been recalled by Leicester City in the last few days but I’m going for Lewis Koumas who is currently on loan at Stoke City from Liverpool. Since joining Stoke at the start of the season, he has made 25 league appearances, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
Koumas is known for his versatility, capable of playing both as a forward and a winger, and has demonstrated his attacking prowess with 25 shots and 79 touches in the opposition box this season.
As Stoke City prepare to face us on Saturday, Koumas’s creativity and goal-scoring ability will be vital, especially in the absence of former top scorer Tom Cannon. His dynamic playstyle and recent form make him a key player to watch in this fixture.
Player To Watch – West Brom
Callum Styles would be my player to watch he has put in some excellent performances throughout this season and he has got the fans singing Callum Styles to the song of Boney M’s 1976 smash hit Daddy Cool.
Known for his versatility, Styles can operate effectively in various midfield roles, providing tactical flexibility to the team’s setup. His ability to contribute both defensively and offensively makes him a key player in controlling the tempo of the game.
In the upcoming match against Stoke City, Styles’s recent form and growing confidence, highlighted by his recent goal, make him a player to watch. His contributions could be pivotal in West Brom’s pursuit of a positive result.
Line Up V Stoke City
I would play a 4-3-2-1 formation in this game against Stoke, with Josh Maja out and not really a attacking midfielder in form of late, I would change it around a little. I would start with a back four of Callum Styles, Torbjørn Heggem, Kyle Bartley and Darnell Furlong.
A three midfield pairing of Alex Mowatt in defensive midfield and a pairing of Molumby and Diakite. In attack I would play Mikey Johnston and Tom Fellows just behind Karlan Grant who would play as lone striker in place of Josh Maja.
Prediction V Stoke City
Stoke City are currently on a 4 game unbeaten run and Tom Cannon was scoring during this run but since he has gone back to Leicester City but this means it’s still not a easy game and last season they did draw against us at The Hawthorns 1-1 and was in the lead early on in that game.
In the first 20 minutes, I say The Baggies would get the lead with Tom Fellows scoring from outside the box to put us in front to give us a 1-0 lead. Near half time Stoke would try and get one back but we would have the lead at the break.
Second half around the 55 minute mark West Brom would strike again with Jayson Molumby firing after a corner where he would strike the ball into the net to double the scoreline. Throughout the game it would stay 2-0 with either side failing to score.
I am going for a 2-0 victory over Stoke City on Saturday, I don’t think it would be a easy game but a win for us is likely especially with our home record and only losing just once to Middlesbrough so far this season and this time last season we had more losses at home than we do now.
I do think we would beat a Stoke City side this weekend and losing Tom Cannon back to Leicester City would be a huge blow to them before visiting The Hawthorns in where the Baggies have won the last three successive times there and before then have secured draws to Burnley, Sheffield United and Norwich City.
Prediction: West Brom 2-0 Stoke City
Goalscorers for West Brom: Tom Fellows, Jayson Molumby