West Bromwich Albion host Midlands rivals Birmingham City in the first Sky Bet Championship game of the weekend. The complexity of this fixture changed completely over the international break following Birmingham’s nine-point deduction by the EFL. Gary Monk’s Blues are still reeling from the deduction for breaching financial rules concerning profitability and sustainability. A decision that saw them fall from 13th to 18th place in the league table.
West Bromwich Albion Face Birmingham City at Home
Baggies Almost at Full Strength
West Bromwich Albion are virtually at full strength heading into the final stretch of the season. Matt Phillips is the only Albion player not expected to be available this weekend with Gibbs and Adarabioyo both returning to training last week.
Kieran Gibbs missed four games with a hip problem whilst Tosin Adarabioyo has been out for both games under James Shan thanks to a hamstring strain. Gibbs is expected to slip straight back in at left-back, returning Albion’s defensive line to full strength.
The Baggies are 10 points clear in the playoff places and looking for a third successive win under James Shan. They have the opportunity to all but guarantee their playoff position whilst maintaining an outside chance of automatic promotion. Beating local rivals at home would be a great morale boost heading into the remaining fixtures.
Rock Bottom Blues
Morale at Birmingham City could not be lower following recent weeks. A dreadful run of form added to the points deduction and Blues suddenly find themselves in a relegation battle. Sitting just five points clear of the drop zone leaving them with their backs against the wall. They have to come out fighting, and that makes them dangerous.
Gary Monk’s side don’t have a good record against the front runners. They’ve taken just six points from a possible 27 against the top six this season. Their points haul against West Brom in recent years is just as slim. Birmingham haven’t beaten West Brom in 13 years, their last triumph coming in October 2006 with no win at The Hawthorns since 2005.
Attacking Partnerships
This fixture plays host to two of the most fruitful attacking partnerships in the division. West Bromwich Albion attacking duo of Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle are the joint most prolific in the league. Their combined 34-goal haul is matched only by Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick of Sheffield United.
The Birmingham City duo of Che Adams and Lukas Jutkiewicz have notched a combined total of 31 league goals. With Che Adams bagging 21 of those, he’s recently been shortlisted for the EFL’s Championship Player of the Season award. Alongside Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp and Norwich’s Teemu Pukki.
Change to Norm?
Each of the last five meetings between these sides has seen both teams score but recent form indicates a change to the norm. West Bromwich Albion are on course for a third consecutive league clean sheet for the first time since September 2015. James Shan’s Baggies are hoping to apply pressure to those above them, keeping alive slim hopes of automatic promotion.
Whilst Birmingham City have lost their last four games without scoring a single goal, defeat would be five on the bounce. That’s relegation form in anyone’s book and given that they’ve just been thrust into the relegation battle. They must turn around their bad fortunes before it’s too late.
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