The Championship spotlight falls on a chilly Wednesday night at The Hawthorns as the Baggies host Birmingham City in Match Preview #17. Under the midweek lights, with the atmosphere set to be electric, this West Midlands derby carries all the edge, intensity, and narrative you’d expect when these two rivals collide.
Last time out, The Baggies was defeated by League Leaders Coventry City in a 3-2 defeat but was winning 2-0 with Heggebo getting a brace, however the hosts came back to win the game and to stay at the top of the league. Meanwhile Birmingham City enjoyed their Saturday afternoon with a 4-1 victory over struggling Norwich City that has now put our local rivals 3 points ahead of us and a point within touching distance of the top six.
In what is our biggest home test yet, Birmingham City come into town after our trip to Coventry City, I expect this to be a very difficult game with Blues picking up points of late and us struggling in the last month, I think if we get something in this it would be a decent result.
Player To Watch – Birmingham City
Jay Stansfield would be my player to watch on Wednesday evening. He has been clinical in the Championship this season, scoring 8 goals, and is currently one of the league’s in-form players. Known for his intelligent movement, sharp finishing, and ability to create chances out of nothing, Stansfield has been a key figure for his team, and his performances could be decisive in this upcoming clash.
Against West Brom on Wednesday, Jay Stansfield could be a real threat. He thrives on intelligent movement and clinical finishing, often drifting into pockets of space between defenders to create scoring opportunities. Confident in front of goal after netting 8 times this season, he is likely to look for chances in and around the box, taking advantage of any defensive lapses.
Stansfield also links up well with wingers and attacking midfielders, making him capable of not just scoring but also creating opportunities for his teammates. If he stays sharp and receives quality service, he could be a decisive factor in the game.
Player To Watch – West Brom
Daryl Dike hasn’t had much game time this season, but whenever he’s come on, he’s shown why he’s considered a potential gamechanger. His physical presence, aerial threat, and instinctive finishing make him a player capable of turning a match around in an instant. Even in limited minutes, he’s looked dangerous, constantly posing problems for opposition defenders.
I keep mentioning him in all my previews because he has that knack of coming on late and making an immediate impact. Whether it’s holding up the ball, linking with teammates, or finding space in the box, Dike has the tools to create chances out of nothing. His ability to read the game and be in the right place at the right time is what makes him so dangerous, even without starting regularly.
Against one of the stronger sides in the league, he could be the difference between a draw and a win. If his team is trailing, Dike has the potential to score an equaliser; if it’s tight, he could come off the bench to provide that crucial late goal that secures all three points. When he’s on the pitch, you always feel like something decisive could happen.
Line Up V Birmingham City
The line up predicted I’ve gone for over Birmingham City is Josh Griffiths in goal, I would change Charlie Taylor and bring in Callum Styles in left-back, in midfield Toby Collyer would make a start instead of Jayson Molumby who is now suspended after his second yellow at Coventry, whilst I keep the same attack as the weekend with Mikey Johnston, Isaac Price and Karlan Grant just in behind Aune Heggebo who is looking to kick on since scoring a brace at Coventry.
Prediction V Birmingham City
Prediction over Blues, this would be a difficult one, last time out I went for a 3-2 win over Coventry City but it was the other way round as they won 3-2 after being 2-0 up. For this one lets see how I fare.
In the first 15 minutes, Blues would be all over us trying to find the breakthrough but their efforts would be saved by Josh Griffiths, then an Albion breakthrough would happen in the half hour mark as Karlan Grant would attempt from long range to score and his effort would pay off to give us the lead in 30 minutes.
The lead wouldn’t last as Birmingham would have a free-kick 5 minute later from Demarai Gray and his kick would fire into the net as Blues get the equaliser just after their setback.
Just before half-time, Blues would have a corner from Patrick Roberts and Christoph Klarer would get his head to the ball and strike past Griffiths to give them the lead at the break.
In the second half, Blues would get another early into the second half this time as Stansfield would get his feet to the ball after a Nat Phillips howler and strike it into the back of the net to give the Blues a two goal cushion over the Baggies.
It be a nightmare for the Baggies with 40 minutes left of play they are 3-1 down however 4 minutes after the restart it looks like Heggebo would be going off but a Mikey Johnston stepover would give the Norway striker his 4th goal in 3 games to put the Baggies back into the game on the 56th minute mark.
It be quiet for the rest of the game as both teams are keeping possession and Blues are trying to hold on to their 3-2 win, with 5 minutes left to play Daryl Dike would be on as he tries to win a header but Klarer would take him down to have the referee to point to the spot and give Klarer a second yellow card and out the Blues down to 10 men, Dike would take the spot kick as he steps up he puts the ball to the right side and give the Baggies a late equaliser.
Both teams are trying to find the winner but enough time has passed and a 3-3 draw would be the outcome of the evening as both midlands sides attempted from being a goal down in the game to comeback to take the points at the end. It be good as I said Blues would be 3-1 up from the second half.
Prediction: West Brom 3-3 Birmingham City
A local derby would bring surprises and outcomes, I’m feeling this one would be a early Christmas cracker on Wednesday night, I think there be goals in this one and a sending off I have also predicted lets see what happens at The Hawthorns come Wednesday and see if the Baggies can pull off a result over Birmingham in a Championship clash under the lights.