West Bromwich Albion will travel to the Oakwell Stadium this Friday night as the Baggies meet with a Barnsley side in desperate need of any points they can get just as their opponents continue to battle for the Championship title.
Valérien Ismaël’s men have recovered well from recent pressure and their winless streak during December, as they’ve now won their past two games following victories over the high-flying Coventry City and mid-table Reading.
Saturday's winner against Reading was the seventh time this season @CallumRobinson7 & @karlangrant have combined for a goal. 🔗🔥Robbo has been talking about the "excellent" relationship he has on and off the pitch with KG. 🗣— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) December 14, 2021
Saturday's winner against Reading was the seventh time this season @CallumRobinson7 & @karlangrant have combined for a goal. 🔗🔥Robbo has been talking about the "excellent" relationship he has on and off the pitch with KG. 🗣
Previously, the Baggies failed to win their past four games, with three draws and a defeat.
As of now, West Brom are third in the Championship and the gap has now been closed on Bournemouth in second to three points, and on Fulham in first to five points. A win here - as the other two face tough tests this weekend - could well get their title quest back onto a seriously positive track.
Moreover, the Midlands outfit have only lost three games and won 11, which only the top two can better with 18 for the Cottagers and 19 for the Cherries. However, their 17 goals conceded is the best in the league now following their clean sheet against Nottingham Forest last time out.
What has been the case for West Brom this season, on the other hand, is their inconsistencies when getting into a winning streak.
Very often, the club have won consecutive games and then had their third clash end in dropped points from either a draw or a defeat - they have a mix of 11 wins/draws since September.
Barnsley, however, are in absolute dire straits and their sensational form shown last season is now a thing of the history books as they got within touching distance of the Premier League.
Now, just like they did when they returned to the second tier a few seasons back, the club are fighting relegation in the Championship.
The club are winless in their past six games now, tasting defeat four times and drawing the other two since they beat Derby County in early November.
It puts them in 23rd, and in reality, they are only saved from being bottom of the table thanks to Derby's points deduction.
As a result of such torrid form and their two wins of the season, it’s very tough to find a route to victory for Barnsley who seemed destined for League One. With this said, Forebet predicts the Premier League-chasing West Brom will win here and the game to see over 2.5 goals.