The Hawthorns

Saturday 4th May 2024 -  12:30
West Brom
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3
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Preston
Stream on WBA TV
Key Events

WBA & Preston badges on the home match preview graphic with an image of Carlos Corberán smiling at the camera

West Bromwich Albion head into this weekend's final day fixture with Preston North End knowing a victory will secure their spot in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs (ko 12.30pm).

The Baggies were beaten 3-0 at Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday, however, Carlos Corberán's men still have their top-six destiny in their own hands, sitting two points clear of seventh-placed Hull City. 

Visitors Preston North End suffered a 3-0 home loss to league champions Leicester City on Monday night, their fourth consecutive defeat.

Albion claimed a thrilling 4-0 triumph in the reverse fixture at Deepdale, with Darnell Furlong, Alex Mowatt, Matt Phillips and Kyle Bartley all on target in late September. 

Conor Townsend, Mikey Johnston and Grady Diangana celebrate an Albion goal in the home kit
The Baggies can seal a top-six finish this weekend

Follow the fixture live

Supporters can listen to live audio commentary of Albion's clash with Preston North End.

Gez Mulholland and former Baggie Andy Johnson will provide live commentary from The Hawthorns, with coverage starting at 12.20pm.

Audio passes are available to purchase here.

Details for video streaming on WBA TV will be available here from Friday afternoon onwards.

Supporters are kindly asked to direct any questions or complaints about WBA TV or WBA Radio to wbatvsupport@streamamg.com.

The club are unable to answer queries about WBA TV or WBA Radio sent to fans@wbafc.co.uk or myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.

Regular updates will also be posted across the club's social media channels throughout the day.

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The opponents

Preston North End have enjoyed an impressive 2023/24 term and are in pole position to secure a top-ten finish for the first time since the 2019/20 season. 

The Lilywhites have collected 63 points from their 45 matches and head to The Hawthorns one point clear of both Bristol City and Cardiff City. 

Saturday's visitors have had a disappointing run of results recently though, losing four in-a-row without scoring. 

Boss Ryan Lowe will want his side to avoid closing out the campaign with a fifth straight defeat, potentially scuppering the Baggies' play-off hopes in the process. 

Lowe has been in charge since December 2021 and will oversee his 124th match as Preston manager this weekend. The 45-year-old has won 47, lost 45 and drawn 31 of his previous 123 encounters in North End's dugout. 

Preston North End players celebrate scoring a goal against Plymouth Argyle
The Lilywhites have secured a top-half finish regardless of what happens at The Hawthorns

One to remember

Okay Yokuslu's brilliant brace secured a 2-0 victory over Preston North End in Albion's final game of 2022.

The Turkish midfielder fired home from 30 yards in the first 45, before doubling his and the Baggies' advantage with a delicate finish from the edge of the box in the second period.

Supporters can watch the highlights below.

The last five

Preston North End 0-4 Albion

September 30 2023, Sky Bet Championship

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Albion 2-0 Preston North End

December 29 2022, Sky Bet Championship

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Preston North End 1-0 Albion

October 5 2022, Sky Bet Championship 

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Albion 0-2 Preston North End

January 26 2022, Sky Bet Championship

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Preston North End 1-1 Albion

September 18 2021, Sky Bet Championship

Darnell Furlong celebrates scoring at Preston North End with Grady Diangana while wearing the navy blue and red away kit
Darnell Furlong's first goal of the season came in the reverse fixture at Deepdale

Did you know?

Both teams have scored in just one of the last seven head-to-heads.

The two teams drew 1-1 at Deepdale in the Sky Bet Championship in September 2021, with Ben Whiteman scoring for Preston and Matty Phillips finding the net for the Baggies. 

The last three fixtures have all ended in a 2-0 scoreline - two triumphs for Albion and one for North End. 

The hosts have won 11 of the last 12 encounters between the two clubs played at The Hawthorns.

Jake Livermore scores against Preston North End at The Hawthorns in February 2020
Former club captain Jake Livermore scored against Preston at The Hawthorns in February 2020

Ticket details

Tickets for Albion's meeting with Preston North End have sold out.

The Hawthorns will be full once again for the Baggies' final day fixture.

Thank you for your tremendous support!

A general view of West Bromwich Albion fans supporting their side

Travel information

West Midlands Metro have informed the club trams will only be operating between Wolverhampton and Black Lake on Saturday owing to ongoing engineering works.

There will be no tram services calling at The Hawthorns.

A general view of The Hawthorns and houses on Halfords Lane

Pre-Match Entertainment

The pre-match entertainment area near Greggs will be open from 10am on Saturday morning.

Entry is free for both West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End supporters with a valid match ticket. 

A wide range of entertainment will be on offer including a live DJ on stage, inflatable games to take part in, spot prizes to be won and special appearances from Baggie Bird and Boiler Man.

A variety of refreshments will also be available to purchase, so head on down and soak up the pre-match atmosphere.

A general view of two Albion fans smiling and clapping

Additional info

We all love football, and football is for all.

The club values your tremendous support, but please make sure you don't cross the line this weekend.

An image of Alex Mowatt celebrating his goal against Preston with his teammates

Albion secured their place in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs with an impressive 3-0 victory over Preston North End on Saturday.

Goals from Alex Mowatt, Kyle Bartley and Darnell Furlong sealed three crucial points at a jubilant, sold-out Hawthorns.

The result means Carlos Corberán’s men have finished fifth in the table, setting up a two-legged semi-final clash against Southampton.

An image of Darnell Furlong celebrating his goal against Preston with his teammates

The boss made three changes for the clash, bringing Mowatt, Tom Fellows and Brandon Thomas-Asante into his XI.

They controlled much of the opening 45 minutes, though were unable to convert a couple of decent chances when Thomas-Asante volleyed wide and Mikey Johnston saw an effort saved.

The hosts did manage to grab that all-important first, though, seconds before the break. Furlong did brilliantly to win a penalty, and Mowatt stepped-up to send Freddie Woodman the wrong way.

An image of Alex Mowatt celebrating his goal against Preston

Albion then eased any remaining nerves on the 61-minute mark, and Furlong was involved again - the right back’s throw reaching Bartley, who just about squeezed a header home and doubled the advantage.

An image of Kyle Bartley celebrating his goal against Preston

The third followed soon after, and this time Furlong turned provider to scorer - Conor Townsend superbly laying it on a plate for Albion’s No.2 to side-foot in from around 12-yards out.

An image of Darnell Furlong celebrating his goal against Preston

Corberán began to ring the changes with the Play-Offs in mind, though his team continued to play well create opportunities, without managing to take another one.

Down the other end, they ensured Alex Palmer earned a share of the Championship’s Golden Glove award, too, keeping a clean sheet to top off a fantastic afternoon in B71.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Kipre, Bartley, Townsend; Yokuslu (M’Vila 76), Mowatt; Fellows (Wallace 68), Diangana (Phillips 85), Johnston (Swift 76); Thomas-Asante (Maja 85).

Substitutes: Griffiths, Ajayi, Reach, Chalobah.

Attendance: 25,386 (1,266).