It feels like a long time ago since I have done a blog on Baggies Talk, that’s due to the boring International Break weekend that means we go through a week without league action and watch the Nations League and there’s another one in November, I wish they just scrap it and just do the qualifiers for the World Cup and Euros only as that don’t start until March as there’s plenty of Championship action that should be played in that weekend and not in mid-week.
The Baggies have had 14 days to break away as they come back from the dreaded international break with us suffering from a blip as we have lost twice and drew 0-0 to Millwall last time out and start on Saturday dinnertime with an away trip to newly promoted Oxford United who are unbeaten at their home ground so far.
Another Saturday lunchtime kick off away from home, when we normally play away it’s normally a 12:30pm kick off that’s happened around 3 times this season and the only game that was 3pm was Stoke City where I’m surprised that game was not moved for Sky Sports. It’s the first time we face Oxford United since 2014 in the League Cup where we won on penalties but 1999 was the last time we played them in the league.
Kassam Stadium is the toughest ground to come for any Championship side so far they beaten Norwich City on the opening day, Preston and Stoke plus they earnt a 0-0 draw over Burnley, if we are to beat them on Saturday we would be the first team to win at their ground this season we also was the first time to beat Ipswich when they had a good run away from home and did the same with Cardiff City last season, could we see Enter the Albion post on Saturday?
Player To Watch – Oxford United
There are many players to choose from, Matt Phillips and Kyle Edwards are ex-Baggies players who now plays for Oxford United, who remembers Kyle Edwards at the back of the 2019-20 promotion season with his song Promotion Ting?
I think Kyle Edwards would be the player to watch for Oxford United on Saturday, he has not got off the mark this season as of yet, but with most players who used to play for the Albion sometimes come to light when they face us and I think the Promotion Ting song could pay off on Saturday lunchtime as he could show his form like he did in the early stages of our promotion season when he scored against Nottingham Forest.
I do feel he could be another ex-Baggie to score against us and with him just behind Mark Harris they can show the Baggies why they should not be underestimated.
Can we stop Kyle Edwards becoming a ex-Baggies curse that always scores against us?
Player To Watch – West Brom
Player to watch for the Baggies is Alex Palmer he knows how to keep a clean sheet as he made the most clean sheets last season stopping the opposition from scoring and he has made great saves throughout his time at the Albion since replacing David Button I do say we have a good quality keeper in Alex Palmer and I do believe he would stop Oxford’s attacking play on Saturday.
Palmer is one of the best keepers in the league and I feel he could have another great season with us and can could help us out against Oxford United.
My Line Up V Oxford United
My line-up I would start with Mason Holgate in centre-back, I have Furlong and Heggem as wingbacks, Molumby and Mowatt should start in midfield where I would have Mikey Johnston, John Swift and Tom Fellows behind Josh Maja.
My Prediction V Oxford United
Time to make my prediction for the 10th game of the league season for West Brom, I haven’t as of yet predicted us to lose throughout this season. This one at Oxford United would be tough as they won 3 times out of 4 beating Norwich, Preston and Stoke but drew against our promotion rivals Burnley.
However, we beat Portsmouth straight after the international break and I feel in the first 15 minutes the Baggies would score with Josh Maja getting one with scoring another goal in his travels where he has scored in every away game so far. Just before half time I think we would double our lead with Jayson Molumby scoring from long-range.
Second half just early on Oxford United would get one back with Kyle Edwards the former Baggies forward getting on the scoresheet to make it 2-1. Oxford United would try and get back into the game as they would frustrate us I do think they get a free-kick and Matt Phillips another former Albion player equalizing for Oxford United where the scoreline would be 2-2 around the 65 minute mark.
It be frustrating throughout the game but late on it still be 2-2 and I feel a Mikey Johnston late goal to secure us a 3-2 win and becoming the first team to beat Oxford in their backyard this season.
Prediction: Oxford United 2-3 West Brom
Goalscorers for Oxford United: Kyle Edwards, Matt Phillips
Goalscorers for West Brom: Josh Maja, Jayson Molumby, Mikey Johnston
A 3-2 win I’m going for, we would be ahead with a 2-0 lead but it be like the Sheffield Wednesday game where they was leading 2-0 but us coming back to 2-2 and then blowing it, I say the Baggies on Saturday would be the same as Sheffield Wednesday did against us but we would still come away with a 3-2 victory it wouldn’t be a great performance I predict but a huge three points coming back from Oxford on Saturday. A early start for me on Saturday again but I do love the away days and the atmosphere is brilliant throughout the day, lets see what happens come on you Baggies!