West Brom v Portsmouth preview: Team news, head-to-head, prediction
West Brom are set to welcome Portsmouth to The Hawthorns as Tony Mowbray takes charge of his first home game since his return to the Black Country as manager.
After a 2-0 defeat away at Middlesbrough on Tuesday (21 January), Mowbray will be keen to get some points under his belt from this one.
The Baggies welcome 18th-placed Portsmouth on Saturday (25 January), a side buoyed by a 3-1 win over Stoke City in midweek as they look for a strong second half of the campaign.
Preview
Albion have had a bit of a rocky road this term, which was not helped by the departure of Carlos Corberan a month ago.
The Baggies took their time in appointing a successor and landed upon Mowbray, who has returned to the Black Country for a second spell in charge.
While the appointment was received positively, the boss will have been disappointed to have started his tenure overseeing a defeat and will be eager to put that right on home ground.
Portsmouth, on the other hand, have been struggling at the wrong end of the Championship table this term and are still in need of points on the board despite an upturn in form after a poor start.
Pompey remain just three points above the relegation zone in a battle that looks set to contain plenty of sides as it stands.
John Mousinho will be hoping his side have enough in them to see the campaign out and survive in the second tier in their first season since promotion.
Form guide (Championship)
West Brom: LDDWD
Portsmouth: WWLLW
Head to Head (All competitions)
Portsmouth 0-3 West Brom (15 September, 2024)
Portsmouth 2-2 West Brom (11 April, 2009)
West Brom 1-1 Portsmouth (7 December, 2008)
Portsmouth 1-0 West Brom (5 April, 2008)
Portsmouth 1-0 West Brom (17 December, 2005)
Team News
Josh Maja remains out with an injury that will seem him sidelined for some time and he is a big miss given he is the Baggies’ top scorer this term.
Kyle Bartley and Semi Ayaji also remain injured but are both a way out from a return yet.
Pompey have quite a few names on their injury list which hasn’t helped their efforts this term.
The only person that may be available for a return against West Brom is Mark O’Mahony.
Predicted lineups
West Brom: Palmer, Furlong, Taylor, Heggem, Styles, Molumby, Price, Fellows, Diangana, Johnstone, Grant
Portsmouth: Schmid, Williams, Pack, Atkinson, Ogilvie, Hayden, Potts, Ritchie, Lang, Murphy, Bishop.
Prediction: West Brom 2-1 Portsmouth
Portsmouth are not going to roll over as they look to continue their winning ways in the Championship.
However, the Baggies are back on home soil for Mowbray’s return to The Hawthorns, which should create a good buzz.
With the crowd on side and talent in the team, they could come out on top of this one.
In other West Brom news, Albion face a “no-brainer transfer decision” on a Chelsea gem.
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