West Brom will be hoping to edge another step closer to promotion to the Premier League when they take on relegation-threatened Hull City at the Hawthorns on Sunday.
Slaven Bilic’s side are coming off the back of an impressive display at Hillsborough last time out as they won comfortably 3-0 away at Sheffield Wednesday.
This incidentally was their first win since the Championship restart and was a welcome relief as the Baggies only managed one point from their first two fixtures post-lockdown.
In terms of the visitors, Hull City sit just a point above the relegation zone heading into the game in the Black Country, although Grant McCann’s side picked up a crucial win against rivals for the drop Middlesborough in their last game to give them a real fighting chance ahead of another tough test come Sunday afternoon.
The win over the Teesiders ended Hull’s 15 match winless run in all competitions, stemming back to New Year’s Day.
Head-to-head:
West Brom have won four of the last six league meetings between the two sides; three of the games were also top-flight fixtures.
09.11.19 Championship Hull 0-1 West Brom
19.04.19 Championship West Brom 3-2 Hull
03.11.18 Championship Hull 1-0 West BromÂ
02.01.17 Premier League West Brom 3-1 Hull
26.11.16 Premier League Hull 1-1 West Brom
10.01.15 Premier League West Brom 1-0 Hull
Team news:
West Brom left-back Nathan Ferguson is set to miss out again for the hosts meaning that he is still yet to appear for the midlands side since the restart.
Kamil Grosicki is in line to make his full West Brom debut against his former side at the Hawthorns.
And with returns to full fitness for Jake Livermore, Hal Robson-Kanu and Grady Diangana, West Brom manager Slaven Bilic looks to have a near full strength squad to choose from for the visit of the relegation threatened Tigers on Sunday.
Looking at the visitors, Hull looked set to be without Herbie Kane after he picked up a knock shortly after scoring during their win against Middlesbrough.
Full-back Callum Elder is also carrying a knock so may also be unavailable to Grant McCann for selection against the Baggies.
In more positive news though, the scorer of the crucial winner against Middlesbrough, Mallik Wilks, should get the nod out on the right after signing a permanent contract with Hull earlier this week so looks to be a viable option for the club now going forward.
Prediction:
Although the 2-1 win against Middlesbrough will give Hull huge confidence going into this one as they look to stave off the drop, West Brom’s quality and overall defensive solidity should see them over the line in this one and they will continue their promotion push in the process, but only narrowly as I think the Tigers will put up a good fight here.
West Brom 2-1 Hull City
Match Preview written by Jack Mirkovic.