The Baggies travel to South Wales for a Saturday dinnertime clash as Swansea is our first away day for 2025 in the EFL Championship.
Having being linked to Swansea City’s manager Luke Williams in recent days and now seems we no longer likely to approach him according to reports while writing this match preview.
I personally would prefer the current Blackburn manager who’s compensation is lower than Luke Williams’s and are sitting higher than Swansea are in the Championship, he did wonders at Birmingham before being sacked for Wayne Rooney where they was 5th in the league before heading down to League One, this season they sit in around the play-offs.
Now onto Swansea away, having won 3-1 against Preston on New Years Day and looked brilliant in the first half I think it’s time for Chris Brunt to show why he should be kept on as the interim manager for another game so I do think we would go for it in this clash and with Swansea who lost 4-0 to Portsmouth I think they be out of confidence and West Brom look the team to edge it in this fixture, but our record at Swansea is not that great but would that all change on Saturday?
Player To Watch – Swansea City
The one player that stands out to be player to watch for Swansea City is Liam Cullen, the forward has established himself as a crucial cog in the Swans’ attack this season with 7 goals in 22 games. While he may not always grab the headlines, Cullen’s contributions on the pitch are impossible to ignore and has scored past the Baggies this time last season on New Years Day in 2024.
Cullen will be tasked with leading the line and ensuring his side remains on the front foot. His ability to exploit space and seize chances will be critical in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter.
As the Swans aim to make their mark in this fixture, Liam Cullen embodies their quiet determination. If the forward continues his rich vein of form, he could very well be the catalyst for a memorable Swansea performance and could put more misery to our travelling Baggies fans.
Player To Watch – West Brom
The one player who could have a significant impact is Callum Styles. Known for his versatility and work rate, Styles has been a key figure for the Baggies this season and scored a beauty over Preston on New Years Day.
Against this Swansea side that is known for their ball retention and fluid passing, Styles’ ability to disrupt opposition moves while initiating his own team’s attacks will be crucial.
Despite his defensive capabilities, Styles is far from a one-dimensional player. His vision and passing range make him a key contributor to West Brom’s attacking transitions. With forwards like Josh Maja relying on quality service, Styles’ ability to pick out incisive passes or carry the ball into dangerous areas will be pivotal. His knack for unlocking defenses could be the difference against a Swansea backline that has had its shaky moments this season.
My Line Up V Swansea City
I would play more the less the same XI as the Preston game where the back 4 would stay in the same, I keep Diakite paired up with Molumby, Fellows and Grant I play at attacking wingers with Diangana behind Josh Maja in attack.
Prediction V Swansea City
Time to make my prediction outcome over Swansea City, last time out I predicted us to beat Preston by 2 goals to 1 but we was 1 goal better and won the game 3-1. Predicting the away games are tough as I predicted us to lose to Sheffield United last time but came away with a 1-1 draw.
This is going to be a tough game and I say there be a early goal in the first 10 minutes, I say the Baggies would get a corner and Grant corner would hit the post and would flick onto Heggem to bury it to give us a early lead over Swansea City.
Near the 34th minute mark I say Swansea would get back level with Liam Cullen equalising it at 1-1 and would stay level at half time with the scores at 1-1.
Second half, there be another early lead and this time it’s Swansea’s where Gonçalo Franco would score from outside the box just before the 50th minute mark to cause us misery to the travelling fans.
I say around the 70th minute mark, Karlan Grant would get us back level by scoring outside the box by making the score 2-2 and giving us hope of a late winner. As always there’s been a 3-2 outcome against Swansea 3 times in the last few seasons I’m going for it again as there be a last gasp penalty and I’m sensing the Baggies would get it with Mikey Johnston been dragged down by one of the Swansea’s defenders seconds before the final whistle and they would get down to 10 men.
Devante Cole would be the penalty taker as Josh Maja would of been substituted and he would score the vital penalty that would give us all but three points to take back from Swansea by winning the game with a 3-2 scoreline.
Prediction: Swansea City 2-3 West Brom
Goalscorers for Swansea City: Liam Cullen, Gonçalo Franco
Goalscorers for West Brom: Torbjørn Heggem, Karlan Grant, Devante Cole (P)
A just victory I’m predicting for the Baggies on Saturday that would keep our run going for 2025 and give us a back to back win for the first time since September. If we do beat Swansea it would put us in a good position as we have 2 home games coming up after the FA Cup clash against Bournemouth with Stoke and Portsmouth plus an away trip to Middlesbrough on a Tuesday night. First we see how we fare against Swansea and hopefully get a result that keeps us in a play-off position.