Looking to secure their maiden points of 2025, West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End will lock horns at The Hawthorns for a Championship match on New Year's Day.
The Baggies have struggled on the road since a shock change in coaching staff over the festive period, whilst supporters of the Lilywhites have enjoyed plenty of Christmas cheer.
Match preview
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Following a routine two-goal success over Bristol City at The Hawthorns on December 22, West Brom were robbed of their first-team manager Carlos Corberan, with the Spaniard deciding to link up with his former club Valencia, who are fighting off relegation in La Liga.
Since the Black Country departure of Corberan, the Baggies have collected just the single point across a pair of Championship clashes during the final stages of the festive schedule, losing 2-1 at Derby County on Boxing Day before sharing the spoils with Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon.
It appeared as if playoff hopefuls West Brom were destined for their third defeat in four second-tier battles as Andre Brooks netted his maiden goal for the Blades in the first period, but an excellent low-driven finish from Karlan Grant restored parity in the contest for the visitors.
Heading into a fresh calendar year, Albion - who are currently under the interim leadership of former players Chris Brunt and Boaz Myhill - sit eighth in the Championship rankings, just a single point behind Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough in the lowest of the playoff spots.
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Preston will travel to The Hawthorns on New Year's Day on a mission to record three straight Championship successes for the first time since February 2024, with the Lancashire outfit securing back-to-back Deepdale triumphs over strugglers Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday since Boxing Day.
The Lilywhites were given a major scare on Sunday afternoon when Josh Windass produced an equaliser during the second half for the Owls, but a brilliant brace by Emil Riis Jakobsen and a fifth goal of the second-tier term by Sam Greenwood sealed a convincing 3-1 win.
Losing just one of their six second-tier battles in the month of December, Preston have moved themselves up to 14th position in the Championship table ahead of Wednesday afternoon's trip to the West Midlands, eight points from both the playoff spots and the bottom three.
Rather unsurprisingly, Paul Heckingbottom's troops have failed to set the division alight on the road this term, with Preston winning one and collecting just eight points across 11 Championship away matches so far - only Oxford United (0) and Wayne Rooney's Plymouth Argyle (0) have won fewer games on their respective travels.
Team News
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West Brom were without the services of both Alex Mowatt and Mason Holgate for the trip to Bramall Lane on Sunday, although both could make their comebacks at The Hawthorns.
Jayson Molumby produced an outstanding display in midfield against Sheffield United and will undoubtedly retain his spot in the side, but it remains to be seen whether Ousmane Diakite will start once again.
The Baggies are battling on without the services of centre-back Semi Ajayi and striker Daryl Dike, with the latter yet to make an appearance this season due to an Achilles injury.
Despite conceding during the second half against Sheffield Wednesday, Preston should stick with a centre-back trio of Jordan Storey, Jack Whatmough and Andrew Hughes.
With towering Dane Jakobsen and Leeds United loanee Greenwood both finding the net on the weekend, the likes of Milutin Osmajic are set to settle for a spot on the bench once again.
West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Palmer; Furlong, Bartley, Heggem, Styles; Molumby, Mowatt; Fellows, Grant, Johnston; Maja
Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Storey, Whatmough, Hughes; Bowler, Thordarson, McCann, Kesler-Hayden; Keane, Jakobsen, Greenwood
We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Preston North End
After a gritted and determined display at Sheffield United on the weekend, West Brom should be confident of starting 2025 with three points at The Hawthorns.
Preston have been impressive over the past week at Deepdale but are significantly poorer on the road, so we believe that the new calendar year will begin with a narrow defeat for the Lilywhites.
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Carter White
