West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City

8th April

West Bromwich Albion will be hoping to secure a third straight home victory in the Sky Bet Championship when Stoke City come to town on Saturday afternoon (ko 3pm).

The Baggies have beaten the division's top two teams Fulham and AFC Bournemouth in their last two matches at The Hawthorns, with Alex Mowatt and Andy Carroll on target in midweek against the Cherries.

Visitors Stoke City arrive in the Black Country in 15th position and off the back of a disappointing defeat on the road against Reading on Tuesday.

The Potters were beaten 2-1 by the Royals, a result which extended their winless run away from home to eight league matches.

It's Stoke City next up for Steve Bruce's Baggies

How to follow the game

Supporters in the UK can listen to live audio commentary with a match pass for £2.50.

Existing seasonal or monthly subscribers can log in and access the commentary as usual.

Overseas supporters can watch the match live on WBA TV. If you aren’t an existing video subscriber, you can purchase a match pass for £10.

All packages are available to purchase by clicking here.

Coverage will start at 2.45pm and can be accessed here or via the free-to-download WBA app.

Opposition

Stoke City will want to bounce back from defeat at Reading in midweek with a win at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon.

The Potters made a strong start to the season and looked capable of challenging for a spot in the top six of the Sky Bet Championship.

However, a run of just four victories in 17 games since the turn of the calendar year has halted any promotion plans, with the Potters sitting 15th ahead of their visit to the West Midlands.

Northern Irishman Michael O'Neill has been in charge at the bet365 Stadium since 2019, winning 51 of his 131 matches in charge.

O'Neill will be desperate for a strong end to the campaign and to see his side secure a top-half finish in the second tier of English football - something Stoke have failed to achieve in their three previous years in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League in 2018.

But in order for that to happen, the Potters will need to improve their form on the road having not won any of their last eight away from Staffordshire. The last time Stoke won on their travels in the league was a 2-0 triumph at Hull City in January.

The Potters will want to secure a league double over Albion

Classic clash

The Baggies beat Stoke City 2-1 in a dramatic Premier League clash at The Hawthorns back in January 2016.

Stephane Sessegnon fired Albion ahead after an hour, but striker Jon Walters equalised for the away team with less than ten minutes left.

Stoke then had Geoff Cameron sent-off in the 83rd minute, leaving just enough time for Jonny Evans to squeeze in an added-time winner.

Did you know?

Three of the last four meetings between West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City have ended in a 1-0 scoreline.

Stoke have won the last two head-to-heads by that very result, with Albion also winning by the odd goal to nil at the bet365 Stadium in February 2019.

Dwight Gayle scores the winner against the Potters in the 2018/19 campaign

LV BET's latest odds

Albion come in as the favourites at 7/8 (1.88) to secure all three points against Stoke City on Saturday.

After brushing Bournemouth aside on Wednesday, LV BET have West Bromwich Albion at 29/4 (8.25) to replicate their previous 2-0 result, and at 7/4 (2.75) to win without conceding.

Albion strikers lead our goalscorer markets, with Andy Carroll at 9/5 (2.80) to find the back of the net and Callum Robinson at 13/7 (2.85) to have his say at The Hawthorns.

Play on the WBA pitch! Register here, make a minimum £20 deposit, opt-in to the Play on the Pitch promotion and place an eligible bet for your chance to line up at The Hawthorns! 18+ begambleaware.org. Terms apply. Odds are subject to change.

Help "Power the Powerchairs" on Foundation Day

Albion will recognise the inspirational contribution of its all-conquering powerchair team when the club marks Foundation Day on Saturday, April 9.

The fixture against Stoke City is the annual showpiece event for the club’s official charity, The Albion Foundation, which this year hopes to raise funds to “Power the Powerchairs”.

The Foundation Day will also be a part of the first ever Week of Action by the English Football League (EFL). Using the power of football, EFL clubs and Club Community Organisations (CCOs) collectively invest in their communities every year, engaging with some of the most vulnerable members of society.

Click here to find out more and donate to The Albion Foundation.

Additional information

Supporters are reminded the metro is currently out of use. As a result, train services on matchdays to and from The Hawthorns are likely to be extremely busy.

Albion fans are advised to consider alternative routes and allow for extra time when travelling if using the train.

Plan your journey at journeyplanner.tfwm.org.uk.

9th April

Albion were beaten 3-1 by Stoke City at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon.

The Potters gained a two-goal advantage through Jake Livermore (OG) and a Jacob Brown header either side of half-time.

Callum Robinson’s rebound hauled the Baggies back in it with 20 minutes remaining, but Stoke’s Lewis Baker scored during stoppage time to earn all three Sky Bet Championship points for City.

Steve Bruce made one change to his starting XI as Jayson Molumby replaced Darnell Furlong, meaning Taylor Gardner-Hickman switched from central midfield to right wing-back.

But his side got off to the worst possible start when a quick Stoke free-kick caught the Baggies out, and Livermore inadvertently turned the ball past Sam Johnstone into his own net.

The visitors almost doubled their lead soon after, Sam Johnstone doing well to save Steven Fletcher’s low shot from inside the area.

Albion tried to get back in the game before half-time - Andy Carroll looping an effort over and Alex Mowatt seeing a volley saved – but it was Stoke who led at the break.

Michael O’Neill’s team then doubled that lead 13 minutes into the second period, Brown latching on to a set-piece and heading home in front of the travelling supporters.

The Baggies searched for a way back during the final half-hour – and grabbed a lifeline thanks to substitute Robinson’s rebound.

And they nearly snatched a leveller, too, however Jack Bonham was on hand to push over Carroll’s powerful header.

Yet with Albion piling forward in eight minutes of stoppage time Stoke managed to net their third, Baker finishing confidently to round-off the victory.

Albion: Johnstone; Gardner-Hickman, Ajayi, Bartley, Clarke, Townsend (Reach 79); Molumby, Livermore, Mowatt (Robinson 58); Diangana (Grant 58), Carroll.

Substitutes: Button, Kipré, O’Shea, Furlong.

Attendance: 22,761.

Saturday 9th April 2022 - 15:00