West Bromwich Albion face a tough test of their survival credentials as they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to The Hawthorns.
Victory could see West Brom move to within eight points of safety for at least six hours, whereas Brighton can go 15th with a win.
Team News
Semi Ajayi is suspended for West Brom after being sent off in their goalless draw at Burnley last weekend.
Kieran Gibbs (back/neck) and Robert Snodgrass (knee) are both set to return if pass late fitness tests.
Brighton will be without Adam Webster until early April with an ankle injury suffered at Burnley earlier this month.
Tariq Lamptey (hamstring) could be named as a substitute if deemed fit but Florian Andone and Solly March (both knee) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- West Brom are unbeaten in two of three previous Premier League meetings against Brighton (W1, D1, L1).
- Brighton are winless in ten previous league trips to The Hawthorns (D4, L6).
- West Brom are winless in their last seven home matches (D2, L5).
- No Brighton player has produced more shots in the league this season than the 53 shots produced by Neal Maupay.
- West Brom’s Sam Johnstone has conceded 53 league goals this season, which is more than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Prediction
Despite being reduced to ten men at Burnley last weekend, West Brom surprisingly coped well at a blustery Turf Moor because they looked comfortable and confident throughout in their gameplay but still lacked the sharpness up front needed to find those wins.
Brighton meanwhile were simply relentless in their attacking play against Crystal Palace but were simply outfought by a well drilled visiting team, who dug in and weathered the Seagulls’ attacks before punishing mistakes up at the other end.
This game therefore feels like one that will be quite intriguing given West Brom’s poor home form and that Brighton haven’t won an away league game in this fixture, but if if Brighton turn up with a repeat performance that is more ruthlessly clinical then this could be an one-sided contest.
Prediction: WBA 0-2 Brighton
Result: WBA 1-0 Brighton
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