On a mission to record a much-needed Black Country victory, West Bromwich Albion will welcome fellow playoff occupiers Sunderland to The Hawthorns for a Championship match on Saturday afternoon.
The Baggies ended March with a heartbreaking defeat at the base of Norwich City last time out, whereas the Black Cats recorded a narrow North-East success over Millwall.
Match preview
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West Brom waved goodbye to their six-game unbeaten streak as they returned from the March international break last Saturday afternoon, when the visitors at Carrow Road were made to pay for a batch of missed chances, with American marksman Josh Sargent netting the winner for Norwich in the 92nd minute.
Despite losing just two of their last nine Championship matches, there are serious concerns in the Black Country over whether the Baggies can hold on and achieve a top-six finish once again, with Saturday's hosts failing to consistently post victories as the regular season approaches its dramatic conclusion.
Rather surprisingly, Tony Mowbray's men remain sixth in the second-tier standings with seven games left to play, even though they have won only two of their last eight matches in the division, with the most recent of those arriving against Queens Park Rangers in the West Midlands at the beginning of March.
Indeed, each of West Brom's last seven triumphs in the Championship have been posted at The Hawthorns, meaning that home battles with Sunderland, Watford, Derby County and Luton Town are set to be crucial as Albion fight for a return to the Premier League amid a four-year absence.
The Baggies are the lowest scorers in the top eight of the division despite arguably possessing an embarrassment of second-tier riches in attack, with the likes of Mikey Johnston and Tom Fellows failing to hit their usual heights recently, whilst winter arrivals Adam Armstrong and Tammer Bany are continuing to find their feet.
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After finishing in the mid-table mediocrity of 16th place in the Championship last term, Sunderland now find themselves firmly cemented in a playoff position with seven contests left to go, nine points behind Leeds United in second and 15 points ahead of Middlesbrough in seventh.
As a result, those of a Black Cats persuasion in the North-East already have their hearts set on a playoff triumph at Wembley in May, although Regis Le Bris's troops must remain focused on the upcoming trip to The Hawthorns, where they have won both matches since returning from League One in 2022.
Sunderland will be targeting a happier outing to the Midlands on Saturday after they were the victims of a Haji Wright hat-trick at Coventry City prior to the international break, when the Black Cats suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at the hands of the in-form Sky Blues.
Le Bris's side kept their first clean sheet since the middle of February last time out, with a first-half effort from full-back Trai Hume enough to secure maximum points against an inconsistent Millwall outfit at the Stadium of Light, where 12 of Sunderland's 20 league victories have arrived this term.
Boasting one of the youngest squads in the division, it is no surprise that an emerging talent leads the attacking ranks for the Black Cats during 2024-25, with Frenchman Wilson Isidor netting 12 Championship goals since his summer switch from Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg.
Team News
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West Brom remain without the services of leading goalscorer Josh Maja, who is a doubt to feature before the end of the regular season owing to a calf injury.
Returning from a serious ankle problem recently, Daryl Dike is still awaiting his maiden start of the term for Albion, who are in need of fresh attacking impetus.
The Baggies are unable to call upon the services of two experienced operators at this level in the form of Jed Wallace (calf) and Semi Ajayi (hamstring).
Despite Leo Hjelde emergence from the medical room following a leg issue, Sunderland could opt to continue with midfielder Alan Browne in a full-back role on Saturday afternoon.
Le Bris decided to field the former Preston North End stalwart at right-back following the hamstring injury sustained by first-choice defender Dennis Cirkin, who remains sidelined for a few weeks.
West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Wildsmith; Furlong, Bartley, Heggem, Styles; Mowatt, Price; Fellows, Bany, Johnston; Armstrong
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Browne, Mepham, O'Nien, Hume; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Rigg, Mundle; Isidor
We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Sunderland
With a top-six finish essentially secured, Sunderland could take their foot off the gas as they face playoff hopefuls West Brom this weekend.
The Baggies will be desperate to make amends following their last-gasp defeat at Norwich, and we feel that the hosts will record a narrow success at The Hawthorns.
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Carter White
