Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs. Hull City - prediction, team news, lineups

West Bromwich Albion head into Wednesday's fixture with Hull City looking to keep pace with the top two in the Championship standings.

At a time when the Baggies are four points adrift of the automatic promotion places, Hull are three points below safety at the other end of the table.

Match preview

© Reuters

As West Brom entered October, Valerien Ismael was still riding a crest of a wave as the club's new head coach after putting together a 10-match unbeaten streak.

However, three defeats in five games, all away from The Hawthorns, have put a different spin on things at a time when their main rivals are only going from strength to strength.

Ahead of two games at their home ground, Ismael and his squad have the opportunity to finish the latest batch of games on a high, keeping them in close proximity to second-placed Fulham.

Nevertheless, West Brom have only posted back-to-back wins on one occasion since August 21, a sign that much work is required if they are to last the pace.

On a more positive note, they possess the best defensive home record in the league, shipping just four goals during seven games.

© Reuters

In sharp contrast, Hull possess the worst attacking record, scoring just five times in 14 matches since their 4-1 victory at Preston North End on the opening day of the campaign.

There have been times when the Tigers have performed to a solid standard, particularly in defence with three goals being shipped during a match on just two occasions.

However, despite limiting Luton Town and Coventry City to a solitary goal during their last two matches, Grant McCann's team have now gone five halves of football with finding the back of the net.

While the pressure is off to a certain extent on Wednesday night, McCann will want his players to be in the best possible frame of mind ahead of the trip to rivals Barnsley three days later.

Team News

© Reuters

Ismael will be forced to make at least one change with Adam Reach in line to feature at right wing-back as a replacement for the suspended Darnell Furlong.

Callum Robinson is expected to return in the final third, taking the spot of either Matt Phillips or Jordan Hugill.

Midfielder Alex Mowatt will be assessed as he continues to recover from a foot injury, but Jayson Molumby is also an option for the Baggies.

McCann will likely make alterations to his Hull starting lineup, handing recalls to the likes of Mallik Wilks and Josh Magennis.

A facial injury for Richard Smallwood will be assessed, but George Honeyman could return to the squad after illness.

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Johnstone; Ajayi, Bartley, Clarke; Reach, Livermore, Molumby, Townsend; Robinson, Hugill, Grant

Hull City possible starting lineup:
Ingram; Coyle, Bernard, Greaves, Elder; Docherty, Smallwood; Wilks, Moncur, Lewis-Potter; Magennis

We say: West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Hull City

While we do not necessarily expect this game to be one-way traffic, it would come as a surprise if Hull got on the scoresheet. With that in mind, we expect West Brom to run out comfortable winners courtesy of a couple of goals during the final quarter.

Previews by email