West Brom vs Preston preview: Team news, line-ups, score prediction
West Brom will look to get back to winning ways in the Championship as they take on Preston at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
West Brom’s dreadful 3-0 loss to Millwall before the international break has dampened an otherwise positive start to the season.
The Baggies currently sit seventh in the league, with Ryan Mason leading the side to just one win in their last five league games.
As for Preston, they’re sat in fourth place and have only lost one of their first nine matches, with Paul Heckingbottom doing a brilliant job at Deepdale.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash, West Brom News has provided you with everything you need to know.
Championship form guide
West Brom: L, L, D, W, L
Preston: D, W, D, D, W
Team News
West Brom have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match at The Hawthorns on Saturday, which will be a huge boost for Mason.
Charlie Taylor could return after missing the Millwall clash due to a knock
Josh Maja is expected to lead the line over Aune Heggebo, with the 26-year-old looking to add to his measly tally of one goal so far.
| Appearances | 7 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 1.25 |
| Shots | 4 |
Isaac Price has flourished for Northern Ireland on international duty, and he’ll be expected to resume his role in attacking midfield.
Mason must make changes to the team that lost at Millwall, and Alex Mowatt and Alfie Gilchrist could add some much-needed aggression against Preston.
Daryl Dike, Tammer Odeh and Karlan Grant won’t be ready to appear on Saturday.
As for Preston, Brad Potts could make his first start of the season, whilst Jordan Thompson, Joshua Seary, Pol Valentin, Robbie Brady, and Will Keane all remain sidelined with long-term injuries.
- Read more: Morgan Rogers spotted back at The Hawthorns – Things West Brom fans might have missed this week
Predicted lineup
West Brom: Griffiths; Gilchrist, Philipps, Mepham, Styles; Molumby, Mowatt; Iling-Junior, Price, Johnston; Maja
Preston: Iversen; Storey, Gibson, Hughes; Vukcevic, Devine, Whiteman, McCann, Small; Jebbison, Osmajic
Prediction: West Brom 1-1 Preston
West Brom are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Preston, yet it’s the visitors who come into this match on better form.
Their back five could be tough to break down, whilst strikers Daniel Jebbison and Milutin Osmajic are extremely dangerous in the air.
West Brom will pose a threat through the individual brilliance of Price and Samuel Iling-Junior, and both teams will likely score.
Iling-Junior has been lively for West Brom ever since his introduction into the team, and he could play a huge part in deciding who walks away with all three points.
However, due to Preston’s current run of form, a draw seems like the most likely result.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest West Bromwich Albion news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account – @westbromnews247