Albion Under-21s will look to make it four Premier League 2 matches unbeaten when they host Everton on Friday night (ko 7pm).
Progression at both ends of the field have been clear to see within boss Leigh Downing's ranks over recent weeks - losing just one of their last seven matches across all competitions.
Their league form has seen them go undefeated from October until the early knockings of November prior to this week's PL2 matchday (P:3, W:1 D:2 L:0), and more hard work this week has gone into trying to elongate this positive form when the young Baggies take on the Toffees.
Last time out
Albion's academy stars were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium in their last match.
Torin Ntege produced a confident finish within the first four minutes to give Downing's men a perfect start to the encounter, but an error at the back led to the Potters responding before the break.
A dominant Baggies display followed, but they couldn't find a decisive touch needed to claim the spoils in Staffordshire.
Venue
The Black Country hopefuls return to Solihull on Friday looking to record another success at Damson Park.
Albion's PL2 team secured a comeback 2-1 win over Reading on their last trip across the West Midlands, and the youth team staff will be pushing their squad to create another performance of similar ilk this week.
Pre-match thoughts
Centre-half Jamal Mohammed has pointed to the positive influence and familiarity of young Baggies boss Downing regarding his team's recent revival.
It's been a positive year for the defender, especially considering he only made a return to action - after 480 days out with a serious long-term injury - in January 2025. But a positive spell of fitness has proceeded his return to the pitch since the start of the year, and the appointment of a new PL2 boss has meant the 19-year-old has been able to make up for lost time.
Downing, after all, was the club's Under-18 chief prior to stepping into the 21s setup in the summer and coached Mohammed, as well as many of his team-mates, during their spell in the younger age group - with the central defender citing the duo of Leigh and Deon Burton (Senior PDP Coach) have given the group renewed "belief" as they look to claim the spoils against Everton on Friday.
Mohammed said: “We’ve been playing much better as a team over the last two months, scoring goals and conceding less too.
“I have the ability to turn defence into attack and that’s what I’ve been trying to do in matches recently.
“I do try and take the ball as far up the pitch as I can, but sometimes I can be guilty of holding onto it too long, so it’s about finding the right balance in those moments.
“It’s not something every centre-back needs to do, but it’s one part of the game which I can carry out in matches and I want to use that aspect to help the team as much as I can.
“I feel we’ve been doing well since Leigh was appointed 21s coach.
“Everyone is happy with him and we’re in a good place under his guidance and a lot of us had him when we were under-18s, so we only strengthened that good relationship we already had with him.
“He and Deon (Burton, Senior PDP Coach) compliment each other well and we feel good playing for them at the moment.
“I don’t think I’ve felt this fit for a long time and, probably, in all the time I’ve been at Albion, this is the fittest I’ve been.
“That’s something I’m proud of and it’s all to do with hard work. I’ve had to manage my body, what I eat, small things, but stuff I’m taking a lot more seriously now I’m getting closer to first-team football.
“A good result on Friday is the next target for us. We all believe we can do it, we’ve been scoring a lot, so hopefully we can put everything together to produce a good performance against Everton.”
How to follow
Match tickets will be available for Friday night's Premier League 2 meeting with Everton at Damson Park.
They are priced at £4 adults and £2 for Under-17s and 65+, while Albion season ticket holders are able to watch the game for free.
To gain their free access, season ticket holders will need to show an upcoming first-team match ticket on the gate at Damson Park.
Tickets can be purchased ahead of the match online here.
Non-season ticket holders and away supporters are able to purchase tickets on the gate outside the Damson Homes Stand. Free parking at the stadium will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Alternatively, WBA TV+ subscribers will be able to watch a live stream of the game here from 6.50pm.
Supporters can keep up-to-date with Friday's PL2 match across the club’s social media channels, with half-time, full-time, and goal updates as they go in.
