West Brom can exact revenge on Championship rivals after recent development
West Brom will be hoping to recover from a poor campaign once the new Championship season kicks off.
The provisional 2025/26 fixture list has been released, and Ryan Mason’s side have a fairly easy start.
What’s more, the Baggies will have the opportunity to exact revenge on one of their Championship rivals after a brand-new development.
West Brom draw Derby County at home in the Carabao Cup
West Brom begin their Championship campaign at The Hawthorns against Blackburn Rovers on 9 August, and they’ll be at home again against Derby County in the Carabao Cup three days later (12 August).
The Rams were battling relegation last season, but they still managed to do the league double over the Baggies.
They were deserved 2-1 victors at Pride Park on Boxing Day (26 December), before dealing West Brom’s promotion hopes a fatal blow at The Hawthorns on Easter Monday (21 April), running out 3-1 winners.
West Brom ended up finishing four points short of a playoff place, and these two fixtures will be looked back on as missed opportunities.
Derby knocked West Brom out of the Carabao Cup in the second round in 2022 as well, and the Baggies have failed to win in their last five outings against the Rams.
West Brom can send a message to Championship rivals
A deep run in the Carabao Cup is likely to be a huge priority for Mason. Most Premier League and EFL clubs treat the competition as a distraction these days.
However, the young manager has the opportunity to send a message to the home fans and their Championship rivals in this fixture.
| 14 September 2021 | Championship | D 0-0 |
| 27 December 2021 | Championship | L 0-1 |
| 23 August 2022 | League Cup | L 0-1 |
| 26 December 2024 | Championship | L 1-2 |
| 21 April 2025 | Championship | L1-3 |
Mason will want to turn his side into a consistent team that overpowers opponents with fewer resources. Derby would fall into that category, so this match would be a good chance to show that the Baggies have made early progress during his reign.
It will also present another opportunity for new signings to gel with the team in a lower-stakes game. You would expect to see Nat Phillips start this match, alongside any other new faces that Mason manages to get through the door.
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