The Baggies head to Deepdale Stadium on Saturday, now down in 21st place in the Championship, with the threat of a points deduction hanging over them following a PSR breach from last season revealed earlier this week.
Seven unbeaten and with Portsmouth winning both games on the bounce this week and on Monday morning hearing that we now going to face a points deduction due to breaching PSR rules last season, now the Baggies sit two points above the relegation zone with four important games remaining.
Next up is Preston who are currently in mid table are unbeaten in four games and really have nothing to play for, the Baggies must have to get something in this one if they are expected to beat the drop down to League One.
Player To Watch – Preston
One player Albion will need to keep a close eye on this weekend is Lewis Dobbin. The winger spent time on loan with the Baggies last season but ultimately failed to make a real impact, and things just didn’t work out for him at The Hawthorns. However, he’s found his footing at Preston this campaign and looks like a completely different player.
Dobbin has been in strong form, already contributing eight goals and assists for North End this season, and he’ll no doubt be eager to prove a point against his former club. With that added motivation, Albion’s defence will need to be switched on, as he could be looking to get a bit of revenge on Saturday.
Player To Watch – West Brom
One player Albion fans should be keeping a close eye on this Saturday is Ousmane Diakité. Since James Morrison stepped in as interim boss, Diakité has been in outstanding form, picking up four Man of the Match awards in just seven games.
The midfielder looks like a player reborn, playing with confidence and consistency, and he’s quickly become one of the standout performers in the side. If Albion are to get a result against Preston, Diakité will likely be at the heart of it.
With the fight to stay in the Championship heating up, his performances could prove crucial between now and the end of the season, and Saturday feels like another big opportunity for him to step up.
Line Up V Preston North End
The line up over Preston North End, I have the back four of Danny Imray, George Campbell, Nat Phillips and Callum Styles.
In midfield I have Jayson Molumby and Ousmane Diakite with Ollie Bostock and Isaac Price as wingers.
In attack Josh Maja and Eseosa Sule would play in a front two.
Predictions
The hardest point of the Match Preview is by predicting the outcome for this game.
I say last week we would of been under less pressure than Millwall was but this week I say pressure is high following the news that we could have a potential points deduction on the way for breaching the PSR rules it is likely it could happen this season and recieve the outcome at the end of this month.
Anyways let’s see how I fare this game at the Deepdale is going to turn out this weekend.
Preston would be dominate in the opening stages as Alfie Devine would nearly get the opener but O’Leary makes a great save.
Around the 33rd minute mark the Baggies would break the deadlock as Ollie Bostock makes an excellent run in for then Eseosa Sule to score his first senior goal for the Albion on his first start for the club.
We be leading at the break with high hopes and in the second half Ollie Bostock would make an excellent run by beating his opponent to strike one past Daniel Iversen to make it 2-0.
In the 67th minute, Preston pull one back to put smiles into nerves at Deepdale, as a header from Daniel Jebbison finds the back of the net.
Preston would do all they can to snatch a equaliser but with a solid defensive performance from us it would finish 2-1 at the Deepdale this weekend and a important win to probably not worry about the expected points deduction.
Prediction: Preston North End 1-2 West Brom
Goalscorer for Preston North End: Daniel Jebbison
Goalscorers for West Brom: Eseosa Sule, Ollie Bostock
A 2-1 win I’m going for at the Deepdale I know it be a difficult game to come into following things going on behind the scenes, I can see we respond to it well and get the three points needed to beat the drop.
I am certain 7-8 points would do it but with a point deduction I would say 9-10 but let’s see how it fares out here.