West Bromwich Albion will look to keep a five-point gap ahead of the chasing pack as they host Derby County on Wednesday.
West Brom Continue Promotion Push Against In-Form Derby
Match Preview: West Bromwich Albion v Derby County
The Baggies have a five-point cushion over third-placed Brentford. However, visiting Derby may prove a tricky test.
Slaven Bilic’s side demonstrated their promotion credentials on Sunday, overcoming Hull City in a 4-2 win.
Meanwhile, Derby snatched a late draw against local rivals Nottingham Forest to keep their unbeaten run alive.
Free-Scoring Baggies
The second-highest scorers in the league with 71 goals, Albion have won by at least two goals in their last two matches. Both Charlie Austin and Hal Robson-Kanu sit on 10 goals for the season whilst midfielder Matheus Pereira leads the assist chart for the Championship with 15.
Slaven Bilic’s men also sit second when it comes to goals from open play this season too; they’re yet to lose a Championship game this season once they take the lead – winning 15 and drawing six.
However, prior to last weekend’s win at home, the Baggies were winless in three on home turf and have only kept three clean sheets all season in B71.
Rams on the Rise
Phillip Cocu’s side will look to make the most of West Brom’s nervy home record and try to make it four away wins on the bounce.
Derby are in fine fettle and come into Wednesday evening’s clash off the back of a six-game unbeaten league run. They will take confidence from last weekend’s point against Nottingham Forest given their poor performance.
However, should Albion’s attackers have their shooting boots on then it may mean trouble for the East Midlands side; they are yet to win an away match this campaign when trailing at the break.
In each of the last three encounters between the two sides at the Hawthorns, there have been three or more goals. Derby will have fond memories having been successful there last season.
An emphatic 4-1 win by Frank Lampard’s Derby County in October 2018 was one of the memorable nights for Rams fans last season.
West Brom Forced Into Changes
Slaven Bilic may have a defensive headache ahead of the clash with their neighbours from across the Midlands. Ahmed Hegazi is suspended after he was sent off against Hull City and Kieran Gibbs limped off in the first half.
Grady Diangana made a big claim for a starting position on Wednesday after a strong cameo off the bench. The 22-year-old scored just four minutes after he entered the field of play.
Derby suffered another setback at the weekend when Martyn Waghorn picked up a three-game suspension for a red card tackle. He joins Tom Lawrence on the suspension list. Defender Max Lowe, who impressed off the bench against Forest, could be recalled to the line-up.
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