W.B.A. v Cardiff City. Match preview

Last updated : 05 October 2019 By Michael Morris

Albion have lost just once in the Championship this season and that was in midweek at Leeds Utd.

West Bromwich Albion left-back Kieran Gibbs (virus) and captain Chris Brunt (groin) are both likely to be fit to return to the squad to face Cardiff.

The pair should be back after missing Tuesday's loss at Leeds, but Egypt's Ahmed Hegazi (ankle) remains out.

Cardiff may be without midfielder Joe Ralls, who manager Neil Warnock has labelled "touch and go" for Saturday.

Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge (hamstring) is close to a return but Isaac Vassell (quad) and Sol Bamba (knee) remain out.

Neil Warnock: 

I always thought they might be the team this season. Leeds have got the names and spent a lot more money but West Brom and Fulham have spent big amounts of money, too. One of those three will eventually win the league and everything else is up for grabs.

I always enjoy going there, it’s a good pitch and had one or two really good games there. I’m sure the crowd and the atmosphere will be good for away fans. Hopefully it will be raining and blowing a gale.

Slaven Bilic:

“I expect a very tough game, they play a specific kind of football, a specific kind of defending. It’s unique and their attacking is very simple but it’s very productive.

“They are picking up really good results, it’s easy to predict what they’re going to do with the ball, but not easy to stop it over 90 minutes. They don’t let you play the football you would like to play. That’s their plan, of course, but we have our plan and I’m sure we have enough quality to put our mark on the game.”

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Match facts

  • West Brom and Cardiff last met in the Championship in February 2010, sharing a 1-1 draw.
  • The last meeting between West Brom and Cardiff in any competition saw the sides share a 3-3 draw in the Premier League in March 2014 at the Hawthorns.
  • Including play-offs, West Brom have failed to score in just one of their last 37 home league matches, a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United in February.
  • Cardiff haven't drawn four consecutive away league matches since February 1998.
  • In all competitions, West Brom have won three of their last 26 matches in the month of October (W3 D9 L14).
  • Cardiff manager Neil Warnock has lost none of his last five league visits to West Brom (W3 D2 L0) since a 2-1 defeat in January 2001 as Sheffield United manager.

Match officials:

Referee: JOHN BROOKS
Assistants: Akil Howson and Philip Dermott
Fourth Official: Graham Salisbury