Credit: Imago
Credit: Imago

West Brom vs Ipswich preview: Team news, predicted lineups and score prediction

Cameron Smith

Correspondent AUTHORITY Sports journalist with experience at Football League World, Bulinews.com, and VAVEL; Birmingham City University graduate. FOCUS Statistical analysis, data deep-dives, and tactical coverage across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Cameron utilises data and a network of club contacts to deliver verified, stat-driven insight. He provides the analytical foundations behind the headlines to ensure fans understand the numbers shaping their club.

Published on

West Bromwich Albion are preparing to end their home campaign on a high as they welcome Ipswich Town to The Hawthorns.

The Baggies secured their Championship future on Tuesday - but for a points deduction - with a convincing 3-0 win against Watford.

Interim boss James Morrison took the job in February following dismal spells under Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay, and has completely revitalised Albion on their way to survival.

Opponents Ipswich are looking to secure their pathway back to the Premier League, and go into the weekend sitting second, with a game in hand to go with.

The Tractor Boys will be gunning for all three points at The Hawthorns, against an Albion side determined to end on a high in their final home match of the season.

Form guide

Since Morrison's arrival, the Black Country club have completely turned a corner, embarking on a sensational nine match unbeaten run after a 2-1 defeat to Oxford in the former midfielder's first match at the helm.

Ipswich's form is less consistent, though Kieran McKenna's side remain the favourites to take the second automatic promotion spot after beating Charlton 2-1 on Wednesday.

West Brom (last six games all comps): WWDDDW

Ipswich (last six games all comps):WDLWWD

Team news and predicted lineups

On the team news front, Mikey Johnston and Jed Wallace are the only absentees for West Brom, with the latter potentially playing a part in the final match of the term against Sheffield Wednesday.

American striker Daryl Dike finally ended his goal drought against Preston on Saturday, before finding the back of the net once again against Watford.

With Morrison rotating his front line once again, the towering forward could start alongside Aune Heggebo up top, as Dike sees out what could be the final home match of his Albion career.

West Brom predicted lineup vs Ipswich.
Credit: Breaking Media

On the other side, McKenna will be without former Baggies man Conor Townsend, who has missed the entirety of the campaign after suffering a serious ACL injury against Auxerre in pre-season.

Back-up shotstopper David Button remains on the sidelines, while Wes Burns and Ashley Young are doubts due to a calf and thigh injury respectively.

McKenna will also be keeping a close eye on left-back Leif Davis, who missed the Charlton win due to a small hamstring injury - something that he hopes is not too serious.

West Brom predicted XI: O'Leary; Imray, Phillips, Campbell, Styles; Molumby, Mowatt, Diakite, Price; Dike, Heggebo

Ipswich predicted XI: Walton; Furlong, O'Shea, Greaves, Davis; Matusiwa, Taylor; Philogene, Nunez, Clarke; Hirst

Ipswich player to watch: Jack Clarke

The man for Albion to watch out for this weekend, is undoubtedly Ipswich's Jack Clarke.

As has been the case during his previous Championship spell with Sunderland, the wideman is one of the biggest threats at this level.

A diminutive dribbler with a sensational right foot, Danny Imray will have to work hard on the flank to ensure that the Tractor Boys' danger man is not given a sight at goal, with the 25-year-old having scored 15 league goals this term.

We say: West Brom 1-1 Ipswich

In their final home match of the campaign, the Baggies could just have one more big result in their locker.

Having picked up points against the likes of Southampton and Wrexham since Morrison's arrival, you simply cannot write Albion off, even against the promotion chasers.

Ipswich will be gunning for three points knowing that their promotion hopes are in their own hands, and West Brom could take advantage of this, extending their unbeaten run in the process.

www.westbromnews.co.uk