West Brom host Birmingham City on Friday night at the Hawthorns in a West Midlands Derby.
The Baggies go into the game sitting in second place with 22 points from 33 points on offer. A win would send the Baggies back into first place for at least a few hours.
𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗬 ⛰ pic.twitter.com/tPPz8zo8HT— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) October 14, 2021
𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗬 ⛰ pic.twitter.com/tPPz8zo8HT
Birmingham City started the season well but have since fallen out of form. Lee Bowyer's team are winless in five straight games with four of those matches ending in losses. Birmingham City are 16th in the table with 12 points from 33 possible in the Championship.
West Brom go into the match on Friday night following a 1-0 loss to Stoke City.
Valerien Ismael’s team took nine points from the last 18 on offer in the league. They scored eight goals while conceding four times during that period.
Birmingham City took a mere four points from the last 18 on offer in the Championship. The Blues were outscored 12-3 by opponents over the course of those six fixtures.
The last nine games between West Brom and Birmingham City in all competitions finished with the Baggies going unbeaten. Six of the last nine games between these teams finished with over 2.5 goals scored.
West Brom are unbeaten in five games at home this term. They have taken 11 points from 15 on offer at the Hawthorns. Just four goals have been conceded by the Baggies at home.
Ismael could be without two players for the game. Forward Rayhaan Tulloch is a doubt due to a groin strain. Defender Dara O’Shea is ruled out until January with a broken ankle. Karlan Grant leads the team with four goals and two assists in 11 matches.
Birmingham City manager Bowyer has three players in the team’s treatment room. Forward Adam George is ruled out until May with an ACL injury. Ivan Sanchez could be back for the fixture following a groin strain. Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge could miss the game after testing positive for COVID-19.
The Blues have lost back-to-back games away from St. Andrew’s Stadium going into the game. Birmingham City failed to score in both of those games.
Friday night’s match is a derby which will give Birmingham City more impetuous to win the fixture.
However, West Brom are head and shoulders above Birmingham City in terms of quality.
West Brom are unbeaten in nine games in all competitions versus Birmingham City and should continue their excellent form versus the Blues. The Baggies and Blues should combine for over 2.5 goals at the Hawthorns as West Brom win once more.