Win-Draw-Win: West Brom – 5/6
Prior to the international break, WBA brought Leeds back to earth with a 4-1 win at the Hawthorns. That result was needed as they’d lost three of their last four.
Darren Moore’s men can build on the buzz such a thumping win brings with a trip away to bottom-of-the-table Ipswich.
On the opposite bench, Paul Lambert’s recently arrived at Portman Road charged with saving this club from the drop.
The Tractor Boys need to stack some proverbial hay bales in front of their goal if they’re to have a hope of harvesting next year outside the third tier of the Football League. They’ve conceded at least two goals in seven of their last eight games.
It’s hard to see any greenshoots sprouting against West Brom though. The Midlanders have no injury doubts ahead of this Friday night kick off, and 5/6 on them to win looks generous given the state of both teams.
Soccer Football – Championship – West Bromwich Albion v Derby County – The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, Britain – October 24, 2018 West Bromwich Albion manager Darren Moore Action Images/Andrew Boyers EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Away Team Goals: Over 1.5 – 10/11
The Baggies are living up to their name this season, at least where goals are concerned. With 37 strikes in 17 games, they’ve notched eight more than the next highest scorers, Leeds.
They’ll need to keep up that rate if they want to stay in promotion contention though, because they’re conceding at the pace of many relegation candidates.
This is a long way from Tony Pulis’ Albion.
By contrast, only Bolton have scored fewer times than Ipswich this season, and those two teams now occupy 23rd and 24th in the division. The Trotters are also the only team to allow Ipswich keep a clean sheet this season.
This all points to goals for the visitors. We don’t trust the home team enough for a both teams to score bet, so the over on 1.5 for the away side is more appealing at almost the same price.
Soccer Football – Championship – Sheffield Wednesday v West Bromwich Albion – Hillsborough, Sheffield, Britain – October 3, 2018 West Bromwich Albion’s Dwight Gayle appeals to the assistant referee Action Images/Ed Sykes EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
First Goalscorer: Dwight Gayle – 9/2
A favoured option for Championship promotion bids, the former Palace and Newcastle speedster’s hit the target nine times in 14 league games this season.
He missed some time in recent matches, and it’s no coincidence his team’s form dipped. He returned in their last game, nipping in for the fourth goal from the bench.
He should return to the starting line-up in this game and will fancy his chances of lifting the flimsy Ipswich defence from their shaky foundations.
Gayle is West Brom’s main goal threat and the third highest scorer in the league. He’s up against the league’s second worst defence.
If you’re looking for a first goalscorer, search no further.
*All odds correct at time of posting
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