Maja to get Ballard revenge after disgraceful West Brom and Sunderland incident
Josh Maja will be eager to continue his goalscoring form for West Brom and get one over Dan Ballard in the clash against Sunderland on Tuesday night.
The 25-year-old has gotten back among the goals as of late, scoring three in his last four outings, most recently in the 2-2 draw against Norwich City after a five-match barren streak.
However, he will return to the Stadium of Light for only the second time since he controversially left Sunderland for Bordeaux in 2019, and he received a brutal return to the North East in the return fixture last season.
Dan Ballard spotted an opportunity to earn some points with the supporters and committed a reckless two-footed challenge on Maja, which somehow escaped further punishment.
The Nigerian will undoubtedly have the incident on the back of his mind heading into the contest and will be out for revenge against Ballard and his former employers.
Josh Maja can be the difference maker for West Brom v Sunderland
Sunderland ran out 2-1 winners on the day in December 2023, with Ballard opening the scoring for the hosts in the 70th-minute, albeit controversially still on the pitch after his reckless lunge on Maja.
Regardless, both are now night and day from the sides who met at the Stadium of Light last time out – the Black Cats lead the Championship table level on points with Leeds United and Sheffield United.
In contrast, West Brom are still in the playoff hunt in sixth place, and Maja is one goal behind leader Borja Sainz in the goalscoring charts.
Carlos Corberan has admittedly become over-reliant on Maja at times this season, with Albion’s surprise decline in form coinciding with the forward’s barren spell.
However, the goals have returned, and thus the results too, and the Baggies may have a fight on their hands to retain the forward as Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad have registered their interest for a £16 million move in recent weeks [Super Deporte].
While the fee in discussion would be a remarkable coup for West Brom, all speculation must be placed on hold for the time being, and if Maja does wish to put himself on the market, he could see his stock soar with a statement performance against Sunderland.
The Black Cats will provide a hostile return for the forward, and he could be in for another fierce battle against Ballard; however, win the battle, and West Brom will be in a great position to take the three points back to The Hawthorns.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies have suffered a huge blow with the Carlos Corberan to Leicester City links after the latest development.
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