West Brom vs West Ham United: Preview & Prediction

The Hawthorns is the venue for Saturday’s Premier League fixture between West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United.

West Brom, who have had their Chinese consortium takeover ratified by the Premier League earlier this week, sit 12th in the table, as Tony Pulis’ Baggies aim for consistency.

Pulis is still in charge, for now, though speculation surrounding the future of the Welshman at the helm has intensified, due to a strained relationship with the hierarchy at the Black Country club.

Callum Wilson netted the solitary goal in the 79th minute for AFC Bournemouth in Albion’s last top-flight game, a performance which saw them come away from the Vitality Stadium empty handed, in a frustrating afternoon for the Midlanders.

West Brom are yet to taste victory at the Hawthorns so far this term. Their only triumph to date was on the opening day, when Salomon Rondon was the match-winner at Crystal Palace.

However, they will be hopeful of picking up a positive result on home soil, against a West Ham outfit that have surprisingly started the campaign in poor fashion.

The move to their state of the art London Stadium in Stratford was supposed to usher in a new era of success following the departure from the Boleyn Ground earlier in the summer.

Slaven Bilic’s Irons have struggled to adapt to new surroundings, and suffered a 4-2 defeat to Watford in their new home last Saturday, surrendering a two-goal lead against the Hornets.

Michail Antonio’s brace inside the opening half-hour put West Ham in the ascendancy, but Walter Mazzarri’s side roared back with quick-fire goals before half-time from Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney, to level the scores for the men from Vicarage Road.

Etienne Capoue’s half-volley turned the game in Watford’s favour, before Jose Holebas sealed Watford’s first win of the campaign in East London, ensuring maximum points returned to Hertfordshire, leaving West Ham 17th in the table on four points from four games.

Both teams will view their respective defeats as a need for change, sooner rather than later.

West Ham were emphatic winners the last time the sides met at the Hawthorns back in April. Cheikhou Kouyate and Mark Noble’s brace secured a 3-0 win to take back to the capital.

The Hammers’ Noble needed eight stitches in a hand injury sustained last weekend – Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

Team News:

West Brom’s Northern Irish midfielder Chris Brunt is back in training, but will not be fit enough to feature following a long-term knee injury.

He is due to play in a development squad game next week.

Noble is doubtful for West Ham with a hand issue; whilst Andy Carroll (knee), Diafra Sakho (back), Aaron Cresswell (knee) and Andre Ayew (thigh) are still some way off recovering from their respective injuries.

League Positions: West Brom – 12th (4pts); West Ham United – 17th (3pts)
Last Meeting: West Brom 0-3 West Ham United – (April 30, 2016)
League Form: West Brom – WLDL; West Ham United – LWLL
Key Men: West Brom – Salomon Rondon; West Ham United – Michail Antonio
Shoot Says: West Brom 1-1 West Ham United