As The Hawthorns are celebrating it’s 125th year anniversary on Saturday, it is Derby County who come to town as they were the first team we faced when the stadium opened in 1900. Can The Baggies continue their unbeaten run to the season against John Eustace’s Derby County?
The first international break of the season is almost over until another 3 weeks ish as it’s back in October, but the league campaign is back after 2 weeks and during the break I have been to two games in one day last Saturday where I was at the Legends game at The Hawthorns and then went to Villa Park to watch England face Andorra so it was a mad day during the international break.
Now the Baggies are back in action it’s time for Baggies Talk to be previewing a special 125th anniversary game at The Hawthorns on Saturday. It is set to be a memorable day for fans who are attending this fixture as they are bringing back the old scoreboard also at the millennium corner with fans receiving flags before the match.
Last time out, we went to Stoke City before the international break who were on good form after winning the first 3 league games however we ended their 100% winning record with Nat Phillips scoring the only goal to give us a good win at Stoke. Derby County haven’t picked up a win yet as they have drawn 2 and lost 2 and are outside the relegation zone with our opponents drawing 2-2 at Ipswich Town before the break.
It could be easy to get a result on Saturday but we haven’t beaten Derby in the last few Hawthorns appearances I do expect this to be difficult to get a win this weekend.
Player To Watch – Derby County
One player to watch for Derby County is one of the top scorers in the league and that is Carlton Morris who recently joined the Rams from Luton Town this summer.
He has quickly established himself as Derby County’s player to watch this season after making a blistering start in the Championship. The striker has already scored four goals in his first four league games, finding the net on his debut against Stoke City and continuing his run of form throughout August. His ability to make an immediate impact has given John Eustace’s side a cutting edge in front of goal, something they were crying out for after promotion to the Championship.
What makes Morris such a dangerous opponent is not just his finishing but his instinctive movement in and around the box. His late equaliser against Bristol City showed the kind of poacher’s instinct that separates the best forwards from the rest, arriving at the right moment to salvage a point for his team. He has already proven he can be decisive in tight matches, and Derby know they can rely on him when they most need a breakthrough.
For the Baggies, this makes Morris a particularly tough opponent on Saturday. He comes into the game brimming with confidence and momentum, a striker in rhythm who will not need many chances to make an impact. His ability to unsettle defenders, combine with teammates, and strike at decisive moments means the Baggies’ back line will have to be fully switched on.
Player To Watch – West Brom
Callum Styles is shaping up to be a player to watch against Derby County on Saturday because of his form, versatility, and the confidence he brings back from international duty. Although he has often been used as a left-back for West Brom, Styles is naturally a midfielder and has shown at Hungary that he can operate effectively in a more central role. On international duty, he has been trusted to play full matches, including against Ireland, and Hungary have not lost when he has started, underlining his reliability and consistency.
His performances have earned him strong ratings, with WhoScored giving him an average of around 7.3 during his recent run of games, showing that he has been one of the more dependable performers for both club and country.
What makes Styles a potential problem for Derby is his ability to influence games when deployed in midfield rather than just at full-back. In a central role he has greater freedom to dictate play, link with attackers, and exploit space between the lines, which could unsettle Derby’s defensive structure. He is comfortable on the ball, with a sharp passing range and the energy to press high or drive forward, and that mix of creativity and work rate means Derby cannot afford to give him time or space. If West Brom choose to move him into midfield, his tactical flexibility could force Derby out of their shape and create openings that his teammates will be ready to exploit.
Line Up V Derby County
My Line up on Saturday, I would start Griffiths in goal with George Campbell starting right back and the same back two with Nat Phillips and Chris Mepham with Chris Taylor making his debut since joining on deadline day from Bournemouth.
In Midfield I would keep Alex Mowatt in with Callum Styles who would come into midfield who has been impressive for Hungary on international duty. In attack Jed Wallace, Mikey Johnston and Isaac Price would play behind Aune Heggebo.
Prediction V Derby County
Last time out I predicted we draw to Stoke City 2-2 thinking it would be a difficult game due to their start to the season. We came out 1-0 winners over them and for this game I do predict another difficult game due to our recent record over our opponents Derby County.
In this prediction, the first 5 minutes of the game our record would continue as I feel Derby would get the first goal with Rhian Brewster who would fire a shot past Griffiths to give the Rams a early lead at The Hawthorns.
Throughout the first half, we would be in control of the game despite the early setback with us creating many attempts but would go off target. Near half time we would see a free-kick from Alex Mowatt that would hit the post and the half would end 1-0 to Derby.
Second half, the Baggies would try and make 1-1 with Heggebo seeing his shot saved by the Derby keeper it would be quiet till the 76th minute when a few chances would be made and a first assist by Samuel Iling-Junior who would provide Heggebo his first league goal of the season with a powerful header that would give us the needed equaliser in the final stages of the game.
Derby would attempt to get back into the lead that would see Josh Griffiths make a great stop to deny Carlton Morris. Around the 88th minute, Isaac Price would play onto Mikey Johnston who would go pass one of the Derby defenders then strung a shot that would give the Baggies the lead in the final stages of a frustrating game at The Hawthorns that would turn into a great afternoon to give the Baggies all three points and keeps them in the automatics before the game against Middlesbrough.
Prediction: West Brom 2-1 Derby County
Goalscorers for West Brom: Aune Heggebo, Mikey Johnston
Goalscorers for Derby County: Rhian Brewster
I’m going for a 2-1 victory here, I do expect it to be a challenging game knowing Derby are our bogey side and expect them to do well in this game. I have said they would take the early lead and with us we would just about beat them late on with Heggebo coming off the mark to get his first league goal for us and Mikey Johnston doing what he does best and provide us a killer blow to give us three points here.