This is the standout fixture, with 7,500 fans set to take over Ewood Park on Easter Monday as a crucial relegation six-pointer against Blackburn looms.
This is the game fans have been building up to in recent weeks, with the biggest away following in decades heading to Ewood Park to back the Baggies as they aim to extend their unbeaten run and steer clear of relegation, sitting four points above Leicester City.
An impressive 7,500 away fans will be backing the Baggies, boosted by free travel, a ‘bring a friend’ offer, and additional support from Massey’s Cafe as supporters make the journey to Blackburn.
Last time out, the Baggies drew 2-2 over Play-off hopefuls Wrexham as we was 2-0 up at the break and two quick goals in the second half for Wrexham made us leave The Hawthorns with a point. Blackburn also celebrated an away win at St Andrews with Todd Cantwell getting the winner and this definitely looks set to be a big encounter.
Player To Watch – Blackburn Rovers
The player to watch for Blackburn Rovers has to be Todd Cantwell. I remember his time at Norwich City, including that memorable win over Man City, when he looked like one of the standout players in both the team and the Premier League. He was even linked with clubs such as Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa before his career stalled somewhat under Dean Smith.
He delivered a solid performance against Birmingham on Good Friday, scoring the winner, and looks a key figure in Blackburn’s fight to avoid the drop. That goal could spark crucial form at this stage of the season, and our defenders will need to keep a close eye on him on Monday, as he can produce moments of quality when it matters most.
Player To Watch – West Brom
It may come as no surprise that I’m backing Daryl Dike as the player to watch against Blackburn on Easter Monday. He came close late on against Wrexham on Friday, only to be denied by an excellent save from the goalkeeper, and his frustration was clear.
Had that gone in, it could have sparked his goalscoring run heading into the final stretch of the season. This could be the moment he gets off the mark and becomes a key figure in our fight to avoid the drop with six games remaining.
Had that gone in, it could have sparked his goalscoring run heading into the final stretch of the season. This could be the moment he gets off the mark and becomes a key figure in our fight to avoid the drop with six games remaining. With confidence often the deciding factor at this stage of the campaign, even a single breakthrough can change a player’s momentum entirely. If he can build on that and start converting chances regularly, it would not only ease the pressure on the rest of the squad but also give the team a much-needed cutting edge when every point is vital.
Line Up V Blackburn
Line up over Blackburn, I replace Griffiths for Max O’Leary after he cost us the Wrexham game on Good Friday, in the back I have the same four as the last game. In midfield I keep Molumby and Diakite and swap Jimoh-Aloba for Ollie Bostock and in the front two I bring Dike into the starting 11 and replace him with Heggebo.
Prediction V Blackburn
Last time out I predicted we would draw against Wrexham 1-1, however it was a 2-2 draw and a disappointment to be 2-0 up at half-time to somehow finish the game with a draw. It is against Wrexham who are chasing for promotion but now it’s a team who is in the lower end of the table.
I don’t know how this one would go as both sides are looking for a result as they battle to avoid the drop. I say in the first 10 minutes both sides would be going all for it, with Blackburn making a chance that would be missed off the target and us having a perfect chance for Isaac Price to see his shot saved.
Around the 34th minute I say the Baggies would get into the lead with Isaac Price making a great pass for then Daryl Dike to get his first goal of the season and to celebrate in front of 7,500 fans making the journey up to Blackburn.
However the lead won’t last long as the hosts would get back into the game with a equaliser in added time with Yuki Ohashi making a low effort shot that would beat O’Leary, to keep the scores level at the break.
The second half would be quiet as both sides wouldn’t be making enough chances and around the 82nd minute Blackburn would get a free-kick with Todd Cantwell then taking his free kick that would beat O’Leary to give us a disaster by giving the Baggies maybe another away day defeat.
The Baggies would do there best to get an equaliser but it would be too late as we don’t seem to be doing great on our travels this season despite beating Bristol City a few weeks ago, plus we cannot win our six pointers or our important games so I’m going for 2-1 defeat here.
Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 West Brom
Goalscorers for Blackburn Rovers: Yuki Ohashi, Todd Cantwell
Goalscorers for West Brom: Daryl Dike
A defeat wouldn’t mean it’s the end of the world for the Baggies, I do believe we would stay up but we just cannot win our six pointers like we did against Norwich, Portsmouth and Oxford but we would get results we need at home with Millwall and Ipswich fighting for promotion and they be more under pressure than Blackburn are at this time. I think it be a disaster afternoon but it wouldn’t be the end as we are 4 points ahead of the drop with 6 games remaining and we have 3 home games left and be 2 away games left after this one with Preston and Sheffield Wednesday who have nothing to play for.