On Saturday afternoon, West Brom host Bolton Wanderers at the Hawthorns, as the home side play their first Championship since their relegation from the Premier League.
The Baggies affable boss Darren Moore is now in full-time charge after a promising run of form under the Jamaican’s temporarily care at the end of last season.
The Midlands have enjoyed a good pre-season campaign, as they are unbeaten in four games having recorded three wins. The Baggies were last in the second tier eight years ago, as they had been a steady top-flight outfit until last season.
It may not mean much, but the home side are 12 games unbeaten in the Championship from their last stint in the second tier. Moore’s side will be confident of continuing that run in this clash.
One issue that Moore needs to put right this season is the Baggies home form, as they recorded just one win in their last eight games on home soil in all competitions.
Bolton avoided relegation to League One last season by just two points, finishing just one place above the drop zone. The fact that the Trotters won just one of their last eight Championship matches was a big contributing factor to the narrow escape from relegation.
In fact, Wanderers lost six of their last eight games in the second tier. Conceding goals was the visitor’s main problem last season, as they conceded at least two goals in their last six Championship games. Their poor defensive record has led to four of their last six league games producing over 2.5 goals.
Wanderers have a woeful away record in the Championship, having won just one of their last 48 games on their travels in the second tier.
Forebet predicts that West Brom will make a good start to their Championship campaign by recording a victory in a low scoring encounter.