West Bromwich Albion will battle Bristol City on Saturday afternoon, knowing a win will keep them in the Championship playoff race with kickoff at 6 pm.
After a slow start at West Bromwich Albion, Steve Bruce must have questioned his decision to sign an 18-month deal with the club.
However, for the first time since December, West Brom appears to be on the up after taking four points off leaders Fulham and third-placed Huddersfield Town. Against Fulham, who were two goals up, they fought back to prevail 1-0 and kept a clean sheet against the league’s highest scorers.
The Midlands club is unlikely to make the playoffs, but West Brom can still catch up to the teams above them if they win three more games. They have also scored in three consecutive matches after Callum Robinson’s goal against Fulham ended a two-and-a-half month-long goal drought.
Following a surprise victory at Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City fans had high expectations that their team might record successive wins for the first time in the season.
However, the Robins were second-best against rejuvenated Barnsley, whose two early goals inflicted a 19th Championship defeat on Bristol City. If Bristol City fails to finish in 18th position or higher this season, Nigel Pearson’s position as head coach could be in jeopardy.
Bristol City vs West Brom Head to Head
Both sides have nine games against each other, with hosts taking two wins while visitors have six wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Barnsley 2-0 Bristol
- Blackburn 0-1 Bristol
- Bristol 1-2 Birmingham
- Nottingham Forest 2-0 Bristol
- Bristol 1-2 Coventry City
Away
- West Brom 1-0 Fulham
- West Brom 2-2 Huddersfield
- Hull City 0-2 West Brom
- Middlesbrough 2-1 West Brom
- Luton Town 2-0 West Brom
Bristol City Team News
Pearson may make changes to his team following the disappointing performance against Barnsley, with Zak Vyner and Cameron Pring both in contention for a place in the starting eleven. Sam Bell is an option at right wing-back if Pearson decides to use Andreas Weimann further forward, while Alex Scott has shaken off an ankle injury.
West Brom Team News
Bruce is expected to stick with the team that beat Fulham so impressively. He said that Daryl Dike was getting close to returning from a hamstring injury, and he may play for West Brom’s Under-23s on Monday rather than being named a substitute against Bristol City.
Prediction and Odds
Bristol City can be unpredictable, but they have surprised their fans by posting a few key wins this season.
- West Brom Win
- Both Teams to Score
- Goals Under 3.5
