It’s now the 40th game of the league season and we face a tough test as Sunderland come to The Hawthorns as we look to bounce back after late goal from Norwich secured a defeat last time out.
The Baggies face Sunderland who are currently 4th in the Championship and are 15 points ahead of us coming into this game and they face off at The Hawthorns on Saturday. This is one of the biggest games of the season as it’s reaching it’s climax and us currently sit 6th only on goal difference with Bristol City and Middlesbrough on the same points.
Now winless in our last 3 games, Sunderland look likely they are playing in this season’s play-offs but could still get automatic promotion as they are 9 points behind 2nd placed Leeds United. Last time out Sunderland beat Millwall 1-0 but before the international break they did lose their last away game to play-off rivals Coventry City 3-0. Could the Baggies actually put Sunderland on a bad patch of results when playing away from home.
Player To Watch – Sunderland
Wilson Isidor has emerged as a pivotal figure for Sunderland this season, making him a player to watch in this encounter. Since his permanent transfer since January after his loan spell, Isidor has become the team’s leading scorer with 12 goals in the Championship.
Most of the opposition strikers do like scoring past the Baggies like Josh Sargent last weekend that gave us a late defeat, this game I think Wilson Isidor is likely to do the same when playing against us this weekend. I think our defenders would be keeping a closer eye on Wilson Isidor on Saturday as he would have his eye to score past us that could deny us a place in this season’s play-offs.
Player To Watch – West Brom
Jayson Molumby has been a consistent performer this season, making 33 appearances and contributing four goals and one assist. His versatility has been on display, notably when he was deployed as a striker in the recent match against Norwich City.
Molumby’s tenacity and commitment have endeared him to the West Brom faithful, with fans praising his heart and desire on the pitch. His ability to adapt to different roles and his consistent performances make him a key player to watch in the upcoming fixture against Sunderland. He also has a well-known chant by fans “Zombie” by the Cranberries and if he plays well and gets us the needed win it could be played out at full time around The Hawthorns.
Line Up V Sunderland
Line up consists of giving Josh Griffiths a first start since coming back from loan from Bristol Rovers, Darnell Furlong to return after his suspension, I would play 3 in midfield with Alex Mowatt playing as defensive midfield and Jayson Molumby and Isaac Price to form a partnership so it could help both bring the best out of Tom Fellows and Tammer Bany in the wing. I would give Daryl Dike his first start since his long-term injury to replace Adam Armstrong.
Prediction V Sunderland
Predictions over Sunderland last time out I said we would beat Norwich 5-2 and would think it be a goal-fest, it ended 1-0 with a Norwich injury time goal. Now it is Sunderland one of our play-off rivals and could be playing them again in the play-offs if we finish 5th.
For this game, I think we would sit back in the first 20 minutes by stopping their attacking threats and would be some good defending by Mowatt in defensive midfield and Molumby would give us a chance by allowing Fellows to move but Sunderland’s keeper would keep it out.
Near the 41th minute I say the deadlock would be broken with I say Sunderland getting the opener Patrick Roberts would go past Furlong who would cross the ball to give Wilson Isidor enough room to make the run to strike the ball into the net to give the Black Cats the lead near half time.
It be 1-0 to Sunderland at the break, second half there be a few changes with Alex Mowatt going off in defensive midfield for Adam Armstrong and then play more a less of a 4-4-2 formation style. It wouldn’t last long as in the 55th minute Isaac Price would then play for Adam Armstrong who would beat one of the Sunderland defenders and narrow the ball wide into the net to give us a needed equaliser and hope as he would score since coming off the bench.
The Baggies would try and get into the lead, as Tom Fellows would try and pull off his wonders but would miss, there be a few other attempts leading to a corner with 20 minutes left to play, Tom Fellows corner would then hit Heggem’s head that would go back but Molumby then would come out and strike it and would go in to give us a 2-1 lead.
In the last 15 minutes Sunderland would try and get back into the game but we would change the formation back to how it was with Daryl Dike coming off for Ousmane Diakité who would sit in defensive midifeld, he would be the key player in the last reminder of the game by clearing out Sunderland’s attacking play. The Baggies would hold the ball around injury time and it would pay off as we would win a vital game and 3 points would be given that would give a lift of the Baggies fans shoulders.
Prediction: West Brom 2-1 Sunderland
Goalscorers for West Brom: Adam Armstrong, Jayson Molumby
Goalscorers for Sunderland: Wilson Isidor
A 2-1 win I’m going for, I always keep backing us to win but with us being at The Hawthorns and normally winning a lot of games here I think home advantage would pay off and we would get the 3 points, it be a tight game though but with Sunderland knowing they could be in the play-offs, the Baggies know there is much more work needed and they normally see it out during a poor result away from home.
I think it be a great game and am backing us to win, lets see how it goes come 3pm on Saturday once the final whistle as blown.