MX23RW : Monday, November 25 15:05:46| >> :120:19303:19303:
[monks data]
West Brom logo
Championship | Gameweek 10
Sep 14, 2022 at 8pm UK
The Hawthorns
Birmingham logo

West Brom
2 - 3
Birmingham

Wallace (23'), Thomas-Asante (83' pen.)
Townsend (42'), Gardner-Hickman (64')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Hogan (14', 54', 72')
(90+5'), Sanderson (90+6')

Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs. Birmingham City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Championship clash between West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City meet in the West Midlands derby on Wednesday evening having both endured mixed starts to the new Championship campaign.

After just three wins between them, the Baggies and Blues occupy 16th and 21st position in the standings respectively ahead of their return to action for the first time since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.


Match preview

Birmingham City manager John Eustace on August 27, 2022© Reuters

Of all the teams to end Preston's long-standing clean-sheet record, Birmingham would have been the undisputed last pick of the majority of people given their issues in front of goal.

That said, this is the Championship and anything can happen, which it did as Maxime Colin netted the only goal of the game in the 16th minute.

Such has been been Blues' poor start that they have only moved outside of the relegation zone on goal difference, but John Eustace will now feel that they have momentum on their side.

Their lack of ruthlessness in the final third remains an issue with Scott Hogan the only player to contribute more than one goal or assist in the Championship during Birmingham's opening eight matches.

However, their defensive performances are keeping them in games, and there will be confidence that they can overcome a West Brom side showing similar inconsistency.

West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Bruce on August 8, 2022© Reuters

From the Baggies' perspective, collecting just nine points from eight matches is far from ideal as Steve Bruce looks to keep the club in the playoff hunt.

However, five of their six draws have come from losing positions, a sign that a squad which has been limited by injuries and transfer mishaps are performing for their manager.

While the West Midlands outfit sit just one point above the bottom three, they will be relatively content that they are just four points adrift of the top six.

Like their hosts, clean sheets have been few and far between this campaign, their only shutout in the league coming at home to Cardiff City.

West Bromwich Albion Championship form:
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • D

West Bromwich Albion form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • D

Birmingham City Championship form:
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W


Team News

Manchester United's Hannibal Mejbri pictured on July 18, 2021© Reuters

Given the club's lack of strength in depth and current injury issues, Bruce may be prepared to stick with the West Brom XI from the Burnley game.

Jake Livermore is most likely to earn a recall in place of Jayson Molumby in midfield, with Brandon Thomas-Asante probably remaining on the substitutes' bench despite his debut goal.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman is again expected to get the nod at right-back ahead of Darnell Furlong.

Barring any injury issues, Eustace could stick with the same Birmingham XI from the victory over Preston.

However, he does have alternatives available to him with Hannibal Mejbri and Jordan James both pushing for opportunities in midfield.

Even if he has recovered from injury, Przemyslaw Placheta may have to make do with a spot among the replacements.

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Button; Gardner-Hickman, Bartley, O'Shea, Townsend; Livermore, Yokuslu; Wallace, Swift, Diangana; Grant

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Ruddy; Sanderson, Roberts, Trusty; Colin, Bielik, Chong, Graham; Bacuna; Hogan, Deeney


SM words green background

We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Birmingham City

All things considered, it would come as a surprise if there were many goals in this contest. Birmingham are capable of prevailing by the narrowest of margins, but we are backing the Baggies to edge this contest by the odd goal.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:494434:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8556:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: West Brom vs Birmingham

West Bromwich Albion
74.0%
Draw
20.0%
Birmingham City
6.0%
50
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Tahith Chong in action for Manchester United in pre-season on August 5, 2018
Read Next:
Man United 'agree to sell Tahith Chong to Birmingham City'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds1695228121632
2Sunderland1695226121432
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
4Burnley168621961330
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea165471414019
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
21Cardiff CityCardiff164481524-916
22Hull City163671621-515
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR161871326-1311


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!