Charlton vs West Brom preview, predictions & possible XIs
West Bromwich Albion’s quest to return to the Premier League takes them to south London as they face Charlton Athletic this weekend.
The Baggies are second in the Championship after 26 games, only behind league leaders Leeds United on goal difference but having previously led the way before a poor run of form.
They have failed to win any of their past four league games, drawing three, including one against Leeds, but did return to winning ways in the FA Cup against Charlton last weekend.
Now out of the FA Cup, Charlton can focus on moving up the Championship table and away from the relegation zone, currently sitting 19th. But can they start that run or will West Brom continue their push to the top with Leeds facing a difficult match?
Read on for our Charlton vs West Brom preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Charlton vs West Brom and where can I watch live?
Competition: Championship
Venue: The Valley
Date: Saturday, 11 January 2020
Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Charlton vs West Brom
05 January 2020: Charlton 0-1 West Brom (FA Cup)
26 October 2019: West Brom 2-2 Charlton (Championship)
21 March 2008: Charlton 1-1 West Brom (Championship)
15 January 2008: West Brom 2-2 Charlton (FA Cup)
05 January 2008: Charlton 1-1 West Brom (FA Cup)
Aggregate Score: Charlton (LDDDD) 6-7 West Brom (WDDDD)
Ones to watch
Charlton: Conor Gallagher
One of Charlton’s standout players this season has been Conor Gallagher, currently on loan from Chelsea.
The 19-year-old is enjoying his first taste of senior football and doesn’t look out of place in the Championship, technically sound with the capability of playing box to box and contributing both in defence and attack.
His performances have seen him linked with an early recall from Charlton and move to the likes of Burnley and Norwich, but the Addicks remain hopeful of keeping him.
Key stat: Conor Gallagher has been directly involved in eight Championship goals this season, scoring six and recording two assists.
West Brom: Matheus Pereira
West Brom have scored more goals than any other Championship team this season with 48 and at the heart of that has been Matheus Pereira.
The 23-year-old Brazilian has been a regular feature in West Brom’s midfield, contributing to the attack with goals and assists. Pereira has scored a respectable five league goals so far, a tally only bettered by three of his teammates, but he is second to none with assists.
Directly setting up 10 goals in the Championship, no player has recorded more assists than Pereira this season and his passing will be needed if West Brom are to get back to winning ways in the league.
Key stat: Matheus Pereira (15) has been directly involved in more Championship goals than any other West Brom player this season.
Team news
Charlton
Injuries have caused Charlton many problems this season and absences are still high for the Addicks. Lyle Taylor is a doubt with a hamstring injury and his replacement Macauley Bonne is also out, joining Sam Field, Jake Forster-Caskey, Beram Kayal and Josh Cullen on the sidelines.
Predicted XI: Phillips; Solly, Lockyer, Pearce, Sarr, Purrington; Morgan, Dempsey, Gallagher, Doughty; Davison.
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West Brom
Slaven Bilic has a pretty fresh squad to call upon this weekend with only Kieran Gibbs and Grady Diangana doubts and the pair are unlikely to play. The West Brom boss made 11 changes for the FA Cup win last weekend so expect a completely different side for this trip to the Valley.
Predicted XI: Johnstone; Furlong, Bartley, Ajayi, Gibbs; Sawyers, Livermore; Phillips, Pereira, Krovinovic; Robson-Kanu.
Squawka prediction
The FA Cup meeting between these two sides was a close one but neither team was at full strength. With both Charlton and West Brom expected to return to their strongest XIs, expect a much more open game.
Charlton have shown positive signs this season but their injury problems may be too much for them against a West Brom team looking to return to the top of the Championship.
