West Brom vs Sheffield Wednesday preview: Baggies looking to keep two point gap at the top of the table intact
Top of the table West Brom host eighth place Sheffield Wednesday at the Hawthorns looking to maintain two point gap at the top.
The Baggies come into this game unbeaten in their last six, whilst Sheffield opponents haven’t won in their last three games.
So with that in mind, this looks like a home banker, but as we know- football can throw up some unexpected surprises!
Last Time Out
Both sides were in Championship action before the International break on Saturday November 9, with West Brom picking up a vital 0-1 away win against Hull City thanks to a striker from midfielder Jake Livermore.
The Owls drew 2-2 against a promotion chasing Swansea side, after the Sheffield side let a 2-1 lead slip deep into injury time due to a late Ben Wilmot goal from a corner.
Form
West Brom Albion form: WWDDWW
Sheffield Wednesday form: WDWDLD
Match Information
What day is this game?- Saturday November, 23.
What time is kick-off?- 15:00 (GMT) (3pm)
Where is this game being played? -The Hawthorns
Is this game available to watch on TV? -No, but you can catch the highlights on Quest EFL show at 9pm this Saturday.
Who is the referee for this match?- Tony Harrington
Team News (Courtesy of @BrunaSportsJour on Twitter)
Baggies boss will have fewer players available for Saturday’s clash due to suspension.
Nathan Ferguson is one of them and will complete the last suspension out of a three-match ban.
Key midfield players, Romaine Sawyers and Jake Livermore will miss out on the action due to being suspended for one game for the accumulation of yellow cards.
Gary Barry and Kieran Gibbs whom have both been doubts after picking up an injury prior to international break, may be return to return this weekend.
It’s touch and go to whether star player Matheus Pereira will be available to start. However he has returned to training meaning that there is a good chance that he will play in this match.
However there is some good new for the Baggies- Semi Ajayi, Grady Diangana and Ahmed Hegazi all returned from their respective International clubs fit and healthy and ready for selection.
Garry Monk has received some injury boost news that Julian Borner, Sam Hutchinson and Massimo Luongo are all back in contention after being side-lined through injury and illness.
Predicted line-ups
West Brom: Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Gibbs, Barry, Krovinovic, Phillips, Pereira, Diangana, Robson-Kanu.
Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood, Iorfa, Borner, Lees, Palmer, Murphy, Luongo, Hutchinson, Bannan, Harris, Fletcher.
Pre-Match Quotes
West Brom’s head coach Slaven Bilic has been speaking in his pre-match press conference about the challenge of he expects from Gary Monk’s side on Saturday.
He said: “We are playing a good team tomorrow – a very good team. They are men; there are no boys in there. They are positive, they are on the front foot and they never stop running.
“This will be another difficult game and we will need our supporters to be with us after 75 minutes still.”
Gary Monk is using this game to see how far his side have come since he took- over earlier this season.
He said: “Any away game is difficult, they are top of the league and it will be a good test for us and how far we’ve come. We have to look forward to it, if we’re at our best we can beat anyone”
Player on each side to watch out for
West Brom- Grady Diangana
The 21-year-old joined Slaven’s side on loan at the start of the season from Slav’s former club West Ham United.
And what a revelation he has been for the Baggies.
In 14 Championship matches so far this season, the wide player has scored four goals and assisted four goals.
He is the second highest goalscorer at the club behind Matt Phillips.
His great form is the reason that there has been talk that West Ham are considering recalling him from his loan early in January to help the Hammers battle against their poor form at this current moment.
But The Baggies boss will hope that those rumours aren’t true!
Other players in the attacking sense to look out for from a West Brom perspective is Matt Phillips and Matheus Pereira.
In terms of defensively- Semi Ajayi has been a revelation since signing from Rotherham in the Summer. What a signing he has turned out to be.
Sheffield Wednesday- Steven Fletcher
The Wednesday man is the top scorer at the club this season with five goals.
You feel like the 32-year-old will have to get on the score sheet tomorrow if there is any chance that Sheffield Wednesday can spring a surprise on The Baggies tomorrow.
Head to Head, Betting Odds and Score prediction
These two sides met eachother 117 times in all competitions over the years, with the Owls having the better of the Baggies.
The Sheffield club have reigned victorious over West Brom on 53 occassions over the years.
There have been 28 draws including last seasons 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns.- That game was also the last meeting between these two sides.
And the home side on Saturday have won in this fixture on 36 occasions. They will be favourites to make it 37 tomorrow.
And the bookies also believe on the whole the West Brom will reign victorious tomorrow with a Baggies win being priced at 17/20 by Sky Bet. A draw tomorrow is being priced at 5/2 by Sky Bet. And a shock Sheffield Wednesday win is being priced at 29/10.
My Prediction:
West Brom 3-2 Sheffield Wednesday. I think we could be in for an entertaining game tomorrow.
By Danyal Khan