West Brom is gearing up to face Stoke City at The Hawthorns on Saturday, December 16, aiming to secure a positive result and maintain their position within the Championship playoff spots.
Currently placed fifth in the league standings with 35 points, the Baggies are just two points ahead of Sunderland and Hull City. On the other hand, Stoke City is seeking their third away victory of the season to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
David Prutton, in Sky Sports’ Championship Predictions podcast on December 14, has forecasted a 2-0 victory for West Brom in the upcoming Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Stoke City.
Keeping up the pace
West Brom’s progress was stalled after consecutive losses to league leaders Leicester City and fellow promotion contenders Sunderland, but a 2-0 victory over Rotherham United on Tuesday night put the Baggies back on track.
Losses against the aforementioned opponents, Southampton, and a draw against Leeds United might have a significant impact on the club’s season as they attempt to return to the Premier League for the first time since being relegated in 2020/21.
A win over the Potters, on the other hand, would help them preserve a narrow gap between themselves and the teams below, closing in on the play-off spots. With little evidence of Leicester or Ipswich Town relenting, the other clubs may be in for a lengthy season.
West Brom in fifth place is only six points ahead of Leeds in third. With Coventry a possible slip-up for the Whites, West Brom require a win against Stoke to cut the gap even further.
However, given the history of the two parties, anything is possible. Since 2010, each team has won ten times and drawn five times. Stoke City won the most recent duel 2-1 in the EFL Cup in August.
Baggies fans will be praying that Prutton is correct.
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