West Brom v Blackburn Rovers preview: Team news, lineups, prediction
West Brom are back in Championship action on Wednesday evening when they welcome Blackburn Rovers to The Hawthorns.
Tony Mowbray‘s side returned to winning ways last time out with a dramatic 2-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday (8 February).
The Baggies are in possession of a playoff spot and could open up a five-point gap to Blackburn Rovers with a win on Wednesday (12 February).
Preview
Although Albion claimed the three points against Sheffield Wednesday, Mowbray will hope for a more straightforward outing in the midweek clash.
According to ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett (10 February), Kyle Bartley, who received a red card after the final whistle following an altercation with Svante Ingelsson, could be handed a month-long ban by the FA.
The unsavoury scenes at The Hawthorns reflected poorly on the Baggies, with pundit Luke Chambers slamming Bartley for the “absolutely ridiculous” incident.
Nevertheless, Bartley’s actions will not sour a monumental result for Mowbray, which saw Deadline Day signing Adam Armstrong open his account for the Baggies and Jayson Molumby seal the last-gasp victory three minutes after Callum Patterson’s 93rd-minute equaliser.
Furthermore, Mowbray will be encouraged by John Eustace’s torrid recent Championship form – Blackburn have lost four out of their last five league outings and suffered a 2-0 loss against Wolves in the FA Cup on Sunday (9 February).
Rovers could only muster a 0-0 draw at Ewood Park in the reverse fixture on 23 October and will travel to The Hawthorns eager to send a statement of intent in the Championship playoff race.
Form Guide [Championship]
West Brom: WLWLD
Blackburn Rovers: LWLLL
Head-to-Head [all competitions]
Blackburn Rovers 0-0 West Brom (23 October, 2024)
West Brom 4-1 Blackburn Rovers (13 January, 2024)
Blackburn Rovers 2-1 West Brom (5 August, 2023)
West Brom 1-1 Blackburn Rovers (15 February, 2023)
Blackburn Rovers 2-1 West Brom (14 August, 2022)
Team News for West Brom v Blackburn Rovers
Bartley will be suspended for the midweek clash as he awaits to learn whether he will receive further punishment while he serves his three-match ban.
Josh Maja and Semi Ajayi remain on the sidelines, but Mason Holgate is in contention to return after missing the win against Sheffield Wednesday due to illness.
However, Baggies fans will be delighted to hear long-term absentee Daryl Dike is nearing a first team return and could be named in the matchday squad on Wednesday.
Eustace has several injury concerns heading to The Hawthorns, with Scott Wharton, Zak Gilsenan, Yuki Ohashi, Sondre Tronstad and Hayden Carter confirmed absentees for Blackburn.
Predicted lineups for West Brom v Blackburn Rovers
West Brom: Wildsmith, Frabotta, Furlong, Heggem, Styles, Molumby, Mowatt, Price, Diangana, Armstrong, Johnston
Blackburn Rovers: Pears, Brittain, Hyam, Batth, Ribeiro, Travis, Buckley, Dolan, Cantwell, Hedges, Gueye
Where to watch?
The match at The Hawthorns kicks off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday (12 February) and will be available live on Sky Sports+ and available for streaming on the SkyGO and NOWTV apps.
Alternatively, supporters can also listen to commentary on BBC Radio West Midlands.
Prediction: West Brom 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
The Baggies have fared well without Maja’s crushing absence and should have enough firepower to secure another three points against Blackburn.
Armstrong has hit the ground running at The Hawthorns, and with the additional support of Tottenham loanee Will Lankshear, paired with Dike’s potential return, Mowbray is well stocked up top.
Blackburn are no pushovers, but their recent form leaves a lot to be desired, providing a window of opportunity for Albion to steal the march in the Championship playoff race.
With a 12-point gap to fourth-place Sunderland, all the focus at the Baggies must turn to putting as much daylight to the sides below them as possible – starting with Blackburn.