The first match preview of the 2025-2026 season and this is a Pre Season preview as the Baggies take on Rayo Vallecano at The Hawthorns.
After 3 games of Pre-Season, we’ve gone on to draw one against Dynamo Kyiv and lost the last two to League One outfits Blackpool and Lincoln. Now with Championship season just over a week away can we see out Pre-Season with a victory that we can take to the new season against Blackburn.
Last time out we went to Lincoln and first few minutes we conceded two goals in quick succession with Jovon Makama getting a brace. Goals by Karlan Grant and Devante Cole was not enough as we fell to defeat to Lincoln.
La Liga outfit Real Vallecano are at The Hawthorns on Saturday as they are preparing for their season in the Spanish top flight, for this encounter it be another difficult game here.
Player To Watch – Rayo Vallecano
As Rayo Vallecano gear up for the La Liga campaign, one name stands out among the current squad that is Andrei Rațiu.
The Romanian right-back has quietly become one of the most consistent performers for Rayo Vallecano, offering a blend of defensive grit and attacking flair that’s crucial to Rayo’s tactical identity. His ability to transition quickly from defense to attack, deliver pinpoint crosses, and hold his own against La Liga’s trickiest wingers makes him indispensable in Rayo’s setup.
Fans will get an early glimpse of Rațiu’s sharpness when they face us in a pre-season friendly. It’s the kind of fixture that tests a player’s adaptability that sides bring physicality and tempo, and Rațiu’s response will offer clues about his readiness for the season ahead. Expect him to clash with West Brom’s wide threats, and perhaps even show off his attacking instincts if Rayo push high.
Player To Watch – West Brom
George Campbell would be my player to watch as he’s primarily a centre-back but has experience playing on the right side of a back three and even filling in at right-back when needed.
He combines physical presence with a willingness to step into midfield, often driving forward with the ball to break lines—something that could suit Ryan Mason’s high-intensity, front-foot approach that is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing players to watch in West Brom’s pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano.
Line Up V Rayo Vallecano
West Brom are expected to line up in a 4-4-2 against Rayo Vallecano, mixing youth with experience.
For this game I play a 4-4-2 where Joe Wildsmith would come in goal to replace Josh Griffiths and has the potential to still impress in pre-season before we could make a move for Angus Gunn in the coming weeks.
In defence George Campbell would come into right-back to replace Darnell Furlong, Heggem and Nat Phillips would form the centre-back pairing, with Callum Styles taking the left-back spot.
The midfield would feature Tom Fellows on the left, Alex Mowatt and Isaac Price in the centre of midfield and Karlan Grant out wide on the right. Mowatt would bring control, whilst Isaac Price would provide youthful energy.
In attack I have Daryl Dike and Josh Maja leading the line, with Dike providing physicality whilst Maja would offer creativity.
Prediction V Rayo Vallecano
Prediction for this pre-season game would mean nothing as the league kicks off next weekend, I think it be another difficult game though.
Rayo Vallecano would get on the scoresheet first around the 20th minute with Álvaro García that would pace down the left flank, cuts inside, and finishes confidently past Wildsmith to give us another first half blow.
Near half time their lead wouldn’t last long as Josh Maja would equalise with him combining neatly with Dike and tucks away a low shot from inside the box to make it 1-1.
The second half sees chances at both ends where Fellows would come close for Albion, while one of Rayo’s attackers would be denied by Wildsmith late into the game as this game would finish with a draw at The Hawthorns.
Prediction: West Brom 1-1 Rayo Vallecano
Pre Season would end for the Baggies without a win but a draw here would be a fair result coming up against La Liga opposition and something to take before we come again for the league opener against Blackburn next weekend. Lets see what happens and hopefully get over the recent results at Blackpool and Lincoln.