West Brom Vs Stoke

West Bromwich Albion is preparing to host Stoke City at The Hawthorns this Saturday, aiming to return to the top six of the Championship standings. After both teams made their return from FA Cup action last weekend, West Brom finds itself just one point behind the playoff spots, while Stoke City is looking to break out of the 19th spot, hoping to secure their first league win under the management of Mark Robins.

As the Baggies prepare for this crucial match, they are hoping to continue the positive momentum they built in recent weeks. Under the temporary stewardship of Chris Brunt, West Brom managed to put together an unbeaten streak, which included three matches without a loss before the FA Cup weekend. The team’s goal is to push for a playoff position, a feat that now appears attainable with a string of solid performances under Brunt's brief tenure. 

The departure of Carlos Corberán in December had initially left the Baggies in seventh place in the table, with 35 points from 22 games. Despite his departure, the club remains within reach of the playoffs, and Brunt's early impact has reinvigorated the squad. Though his tenure began with a 2-1 loss to Derby County and a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United, Brunt managed to guide West Brom to their first victory of 2025 on New Year's Day. The 3-1 win over Preston North End was particularly notable for Josh Maja’s first-half brace and Callum Styles’s goal, which secured all three points. 

Looking to build on that win, West Brom travelled to Swansea in their most recent league outing. They managed to take the lead in that match thanks to a goal from Tom Fellows, but were ultimately held to a 1-1 draw after Joe Allen’s injury-time equalizer denied them the win. The result was a disappointing one, but it still kept the Baggies in the hunt for the playoffs. 

That setback was followed by a trip to AFC Bournemouth in the third round of the FA Cup. West Brom took an early lead through Caleb Taylor, but the tie ended in a 5-1 defeat. Dango Ouattara’s brace, alongside goals from Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo, and Daniel Jebbison, sent the Baggies crashing out of the competition. While the loss was tough, West Brom is now solely focused on securing a playoff spot in the Championship, and the team will aim to bounce back at home on Saturday. With a one-point deficit to sixth-placed Middlesbrough, the Baggies know they cannot afford many more slip-ups if they are to achieve their goal of promotion to the Premier League. West Brom has been one of the more resilient teams in the league, with only two teams suffering fewer defeats than their four losses in 26 matches, further highlighting their potential for a strong finish to the season.

On the other side of the pitch, Stoke City will be hoping to build on a promising start to life under Mark Robins. The Potters were struggling in the lower half of the Championship when Robins took over in early January. They had accumulated just 26 points from 25 matches, leaving them in 19th place. Robins’ appointment came at a critical juncture in the season, as Stoke was in danger of falling into the relegation zone. His first match in charge was a goalless draw at home against Plymouth Argyle, a result that did little to inspire confidence, but it was important for the team to avoid further slipping down the table.

However, Stoke quickly showed signs of improvement under Robins. Their FA Cup run brought some joy to their supporters, as the team secured a 2-1 victory after extra time against Sunderland in the third round. Tom Cannon put them ahead early in the match, and Niall Ennis scored the decisive goal in the 112th minute to send Stoke into the fourth round of the competition. This victory provided a much-needed morale boost for the squad, and Stoke will look to carry that momentum into the league.

While Stoke’s recent FA Cup success was a positive, the Potters’ form in the Championship has been underwhelming. They have picked up just nine points from 12 away matches, with their last five outings on the road yielding only two points. Their most recent away fixture was a 0-0 draw against promotion-chasing Burnley under the temporary management of Ryan Shawcross. Despite the lack of victories, Stoke has shown they can be tough to break down, as evidenced by the stalemate at Burnley, and Robins will look to build on that resilience as they continue their fight for survival in the second tier.

Stoke enters this fixture in 19th place, just four points above the relegation zone, and will be hoping to climb the table with a second consecutive win. A victory at The Hawthorns would be a massive boost to their survival hopes and would mark their first league win under Robins. The team has struggled to find consistency this season, but they will be determined to put together a strong run in the second half of the campaign.

Looking ahead to the clash, West Brom will be the favorites to secure all three points, given their stronger league position and the home advantage. However, Stoke will be no pushovers, especially with Robins instilling a renewed sense of purpose in the team. The Potters will be eager to build on their FA Cup success and begin to pick up crucial league wins that will lift them further away from the relegation zone. 

For West Brom, the key to victory will be maintaining their recent form and getting back on track after their disappointing FA Cup exit. With their eyes firmly fixed on the playoffs, the Baggies will look to make the most of their home advantage and continue to push for a top-six finish. With a talented squad and strong performances in recent weeks, West Brom has the tools to challenge for promotion, but they must remain consistent and take care of business in matches like this one.

For Stoke, Robins faces the challenge of lifting a team that has struggled for much of the season. While they have shown signs of improvement, the Potters are still a long way from where they need to be to secure safety in the Championship. Robins will be hoping to continue building momentum and use the FA Cup victory as a springboard for a strong league campaign. Stoke has the potential to be a tough opponent, but they will need to be more consistent in their performances if they are to avoid relegation and make a push for mid-table safety.

As both teams prepare for this crucial clash, the stakes are high. West Brom will be looking to strengthen their position in the playoff race, while Stoke will be fighting to stay out of the relegation zone. The match promises to be an exciting one, with both sides eager to secure a crucial three points. West Brom will enter the match as favorites, but Stoke’s recent improvement under Robins means they should not be underestimated. This match could prove to be a turning point for both teams, depending on which side can come out on top.