West Brom: Sam Parkin shares Bristol City ‘reality’ as Albion backed for rarity on travels
Sam Parkin believes Josh Maja and Aune Heggebo’s return to scoring ways will help fire West Brom to victory at Bristol City.
Maja was West Brom‘s top scorer last season with 12 goals but this term he has just four in all competitions from 29 matches, and a meagre two in the Championship.
Summer signing Heggebo has fared better with nine strikes to his name in the English second tier. But after a lengthy dry spell, the attacking pair got on the scoresheet in a crucial 3-0 win over Hull City last Saturday.
That was the fifth point James Morrison‘s team have chalked up in their last three matches, with The Hawthorns outfit climbing out of the relegation zone by one point.
Despite Bristol City having faint hopes of reaching the Championship play-offs, ex-Millwall striker Parkin is backing the Baggies to come out on top at Ashton Gate.
- Read more: West Brom have nothing to fear vs Bristol City as Ashton Gate awaits James Morrison’s side
West Brom backed to beat Bristol City
With eight games to go of the Championship season, Bristol sit 14th in the table, nine points off the play-off spots.
Parkin believes that will be a bridge too far for the Robins and the fact that there may be more riding on this game for relegation-threatened West Brom will guide them to victory.
| West Brom’s upcoming fixtures | League position |
| Bristol City vs West Brom | 14th |
| West Brom vs Wrexham | Seventh |
| Blackburn Rovers vs Wrexham | 19th |
Predicting a 2-1 away win, he said on the Benjamin Bloom YouTube channel: “I just think the necessity for West Brom is greater in that they could potentially survive, and I don’t see Bristol City getting in the play-offs, and I think that’s the reality.
“I’m going to go for a 2-1 away win, and I think the forward players all got a goal last weekend. [Isaac] Price, Heggebo and Maja.
“I think for confidence, to just believe that they can do it, they could take it into the next few games.”
Despite Heggebo scoring against Hull City, West Brom News has predicted Daryl Dike to start alongside Maja in Morrison’s attack for the trip to Bristol.
A win on Saturday would be a huge step in the right direction for West Brom as they aim to stave off dropping into League One for the first time since 1991.
While West Brom’s home form is the 12th-best in the league, only Sheffield Wednesday have a worse record on their travels.
So it may be a tall order for the Baggies to beat Bristol, although 17 other teams have a better home record than them this term.
Why Aune Heggebo could be key to West Brom’s survival
Heggebo swapped Brann for West Brom last July on a five-year deal and so far he has 10 goals in all competitions.
But prior to his strike against Hull, the Norway international hadn’t scored since 12 December in a 2-0 win over Sheffield United.
The form he showed, particularly in November, was very impressive but the goals have largely dried up since then.
But if Morrison can get the best out of the player who is comfortably their top scorer this season, that will only be a good thing in their relegation fight.
The 6ft 1in forward can certainly fire West Brom to safety but whether or not he will rediscover his goalscoring touch from earlier this season remains to be seen.
For more West Brom news, check out Football Insider for the latest updates and analysis.