West Brom vs Derby County is a fixture with high stakes for both teams as the Championship season nears its end. West Bromwich Albion sit in eighth place with 60 points from 43 matches, just outside the playoff spots and needing a strong finish to keep their promotion hopes alive. Derby County, on the other hand, are fighting for survival in 21st position, only above the relegation zone on goal difference.
West Brom recently suffered a 2-0 defeat at Coventry City, halting their momentum after a previous 2-1 win over Watford. Derby County are also struggling, coming off a narrow 1-0 home loss to Luton Town and remaining winless in their last four matches. The pressure is immense for both sides, with West Brom aiming for the playoffs and Derby desperate to avoid the drop.
Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The history of West Brom vs Derby County features a competitive rivalry. Derby have 56 wins from the last 125 meetings, while West Brom have 38 victories. In their most recent encounter, Derby claimed a 2-1 win at Pride Park on Boxing Day, with Jerry Yates scoring and Kayden Jackson forcing an own goal. However, West Brom have won the last three meetings at The Hawthorns and remain unbeaten in four of their last five home games.
Derby have struggled away from home all season, holding the second-worst away record in the division with just 12 points from 21 matches. West Brom averaged 0.9 goals per game from 3.5 shots on target, while Derby averaged 1.1 goals from 2.3 shots on target in their last 10 league games. Both teams have found goals hard to come by, and recent meetings have been low-scoring affairs.
Confirmed Team News
Both managers have made notable changes for this crucial West Brom vs Derby County clash. Tony Mowbray, West Brom’s head coach, made three changes from their previous starting lineup, bringing in Mason Holgate, Ousmane Diakite, and Grady Diangana. For Derby, head coach John Eustace brought Liam Thompson back into the starting eleven, replacing Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who is recovering from a facial injury.
West Bromwich Albion Starting XI
- Joshua Griffiths (GK)
- Darnell Furlong
- Mason Holgate
- Kyle Bartley
- Torbjoern Lysaker Heggem
- Ousmane Diakite
- Isaac Price
- Tom Fellows
- Grady Diangana
- Michael Johnston
- Will Lankshear
Derby County Starting XI
- Josh Vickers (GK)
- Sondre Klingen Langaas
- Nathaniel Phillips
- Matthew Clarke
- Kane Wilson
- Liam Thompson
- Harrison Armstrong
- Ebou Adams
- Craig Forsyth
- Jerry Yates
- Marcus Harness
Both benches feature experienced options, with West Brom able to call on John Swift, Jed Wallace, and Daryl Dike, while Derby have Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Ben Osborn available if needed.
Players to Watch
For West Brom, Tom Fellows has been a key creative force with two assists in recent matches, while Alex Mowatt and John Swift have each scored twice this season. Will Lankshear leads the attack and will look to exploit Derby’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Derby County’s top scorer in their last 10 games is Marcus Harness with three goals, supported by Jerry Yates and Craig Forsyth, who have each scored twice. Callum Elder and Nathaniel Phillips have provided three assists each, offering attacking impetus from deeper positions.
Tactical Analysis and Predicted Approach
West Brom are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on controlling possession and creating chances from wide areas. They have averaged just over 50 percent possession this season and will look to exploit Derby’s defensive frailties, especially at home.
Derby County are set to use a 3-5-2 system, aiming for solidity in midfield and quick transitions to their forwards. Their low possession average suggests they will likely defend deep and look to hit West Brom on the counterattack.
Both teams have struggled to score freely, and recent meetings have featured fewer than three goals in five of the last six encounters. Set pieces and defensive organization could be decisive factors in this match.
Expert Prediction and Betting Tips
The latest expert predictions for West Brom vs Derby County favor a home win, given West Brom’s stronger home form and Derby’s poor away record. A 2-0 victory for West Brom is the most common prediction among analysts.
Betting tips for this fixture include:
- West Brom to win
- Under 2.5 total goals
- Fewer than 11 corners in the match
With both teams under pressure, expect a tense and closely contested game at The Hawthorns. The outcome of West Brom vs Derby County could have significant implications for both the playoff race and the relegation battle.