West Bromwich Albion vs Watford - prediction, team news, lineups

Both looking to respond aft disappointing results earlier successful the week, West Bromwich Albion and Watford clash astatine The Hawthorns successful hunt of Championship points connected Saturday afternoon.

The Baggies were forced to share the points with a streetwise Charlton Athletic past clip out, whilst the Hornets suffered a maiden league decision of 2026-27 astatine the location of unbeaten Swansea City.

Match preview

After wins implicit Rotherham United (4-1), Norwich City (2-1) and Burnley (3-1) to commence the 2026-27 campaign, West Brom person present experienced their archetypal due lull nether the imperishable enactment of James Morrison.

The Baggies are 3 matches without triumph crossed Championship and EFL Cup enactment pursuing a frustrating 1-1 gully with Charlton connected Wednesday night, erstwhile a scrappy Tyreece Campbell extremity cancelled retired Callum Styles's opener.

Nevertheless, it was different wide affirmative show from Morrison's boys who enjoyed implicit 70% possession during the Black Country, but they crucially failed to unlock a stubborn Addicks defence excessively often.

A imaginable root of creativity and midfield magic successful matches to come, Rabby Nzingoula was awesome erstwhile again disconnected the seat past clip out, with the 20-year-old Frenchman pushing hard for a maiden commencement this weekend.

Following a promising commencement to the season, West Brom are presently occupying seventh spot successful the Championship standings with 7 points from 4 games, conscionable 3 points backmost from second-placed Queens Park Rangers.

Since back-to-back Vicarage Road wins implicit Crawley Town (1-0) and Southampton (2-1) astatine the opening of August, Watford person slumped backmost down towards pre-season expectations laid retired amid a backdrop of increasing discontent towards the Pozzo family.

The Hornets' winless tally successful each competitions extended to a worrying 4 matches (D2 L2) connected Tuesday night, erstwhile first-half strikes from Eom Ji-Sung and Adam Idah secured maximum points for Swansea successful South Wales.

Quite a spot has changed successful the Watford squad since that decision earlier successful the week, with Soumaila Coulibaly, Stephy Mavididi and striker Myron Boudu joining the Hertfordshire nine connected transportation deadline day.

Despite a flurry of summertime incomings, Alessio Dionisi's ranks are undeniably constricted heading into the bulk of the Championship season, with galore pundits and supporters predicting a play of relegation occupation for the Hornets.

Three points astatine The Hawthorns connected Saturday would bash a batch to easiness the concerns of Watford fans, however, their broadside are winless crossed their past six matches (W3 D3) astatine the Black Country venue.

West Bromwich Albion Championship form:

W W L D

West Bromwich Albion signifier (all competitions):

W W W L L D

Watford Championship form:

W D D L

Watford signifier (all competitions):

W W D L D L

Team News

Following a drawstring of affirmative performances disconnected the bench, West Brom's Nzingoula should beryllium rewarded with a commencement connected Saturday.

The inclusion of the Frenchman successful the Albion XI would apt to spot chap summertime signing Kareem Tunde driblet to the bench.

Morrison could opt to reintroduce Aune Heggebo into a two-man guardant line, allowing Jimmy-Jay Morgan to play disconnected the past enactment of Watford defenders.

The Hornets' wounded problems connected the flanks persist, with Jeremy Ngakia (thigh), Kwadwo Baah (thigh) and Marc Bola (hamstring) each sidelined.

Visiting brag Dionisi has confirmed that caller arrivals Coulibaly and Boadu volition not diagnostic this weekend, however, Leicester loanee Mavididi could marque an appearance.

West Bromwich Albion imaginable starting lineup:

O'Leary; Galves, Campbell, Phillips, Styles; Nzingoula, Molumby, Diakite, Price; Morgan, Heggebo

Watford imaginable starting lineup:

Ravaglia; Mlacic, Pollock, Keben, Zemura; Kayembe, Kyprianou, Maamma, Bravo, Bove; Doumbia

We say: West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Watford

With the imaginable instauration of Nzingoula and Heggebo into the XI, West Brom should beryllium capable to summation their attacking menace compared to the Charlton draw.

Watford are struggling with enactment issues astatine the backmost and could beryllium made to wage erstwhile again this weekend.

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