West Brom vs Derby County preview: Team news, likely lineups, score prediction
West Brom are aiming to continue their unbeaten start to the new league season when they welcome Derby County on Saturday afternoon.
The Baggies sit second in the Championship table after an excellent first four games, and they will be hoping to continue their strong recent run in The Hawthorns’ 125th anniversary clash this weekend.
Derby have already beaten West Brom in the Carabao Cup this season, and they will be desperate to avoid suffering the same fate on what is set to be a special afternoon in B71.
There is a real excitement surrounding Ryan Mason’s side at the moment, and that will only increase if they can take all three points this weekend.
Form Guide
West Brom: W, D, W, L, W
Derby: D, L, D, L, W
Team News
Mason and West Brom have plenty of possibilities available to them in the squad this weekend.
Deadline day arrivals Samuel Iling-Junior and Charlie Taylor are both likely to come into the matchday squad, while Alfie Gilchrist could also make his first appearance in an Albion shirt.
Josh Maja is continuing to progress in his recovery after suffering an injury setback in recent weeks, although a substitute berth appears to be the most likely outcome for him this weekend.
For the visitors, long-term absentees Curtis Nelson and Corey Blackett-Taylor will both miss this weekend’s clash, while Sondre Langas and Owen Beck are also likely to be unavailable through injury.
Stirker duo Patrick Agyemang and Lars-Jorgen Salvesen both played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester City last week, but with their respective recoveries still ongoing, it is likely that Carlton Morris will lead the line.
Predicted Lineups
West Brom: Griffiths, Campbell, Mepham, Phillips, Styles, Molumby, Mowatt, Johnston, Price, Iling-Junior, Heggebo
Derby: Zetterstrom, Johnston, Batth, Clarke, Forsyth, Clark, Travis, Elder, Adams, Brewster, Morris
Prediction: West Brom 2-0 Derby County
West Brom have promotion ambitions in the Championship this term, and if they want to make that goal a reality at the end of the season, then they have to take advantage of fixtures like this.
Their visitors have had a stuttering start, but are not expected to be in any sort of relegation trouble, meaning now could be the perfect time for Albion to play them before they settle into a rhythm as a team.
The Baggies have ample motivation, given that they could go top of the Championship with a win, and it would be a big surprise if they don’t capitalise this weekend.
They have looked strong defensively in recent weeks, and that could well continue here, as West Brom News predicts that they will secure a 2-0 victory.
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