West Brom vs Ipswich preview
Thursday 7 March 2019 17:32, UK
West Brom could have Matty Phillips back in contention against Ipswich on Saturday.
The winger had only just returned from a seven-week lay-off with an ankle injury before suffering a new problem. Phillips' knock was not a recurrence of that ankle injury and Baggies boss Darren Moore expected the 27-year-old to resume training this week.
Left-back Kieran Gibbs missed the 4-0 defeat at Leeds last Friday with a hip problem and he is likely to remain unavailable. Successive losses to Leeds and Sheffield United have hurt West Brom's title chances but Moore's men can get their promotion challenge back on track at home to the Sky Bet Championship's bottom club.
Ipswich, who are 12 points from safety, have doubts over the fitness of James Collins. The central defender returned from a spell on the sidelines against Reading last weekend but was forced off with a hamstring problem during the first half of that home defeat.
Collins will be assessed along with Ellis Harrison (hamstring) and Trevoh Chalobah, who has a muscle strain. Defender Jonas Knudsen is available again after suspension for Ipswich, who are without a win in eight league matches and have won just once away all season.
Opta stats
West Bromwich Albion have won seven of their last nine league meetings with Ipswich (D1 L1).
Ipswich have lost their last four league matches at the Hawthorns against West Brom, though this is their first visit since August 2009 under Roy Keane.
West Brom have lost each of their last two Championship games, while they've not lost three consecutive league games outside of the top-flight since March 2007.
Ipswich haven't won away from home in the Championship since October 2018 (3-2 v Swansea), drawing two and losing nine of their 11 away trips since.
Jay Rodriguez has been directly involved in seven of West Brom's last nine league goals at the Hawthorns (five goals and two assists).
Ipswich winger Gwion Edwards netted against Reading last time out, and will be looking to score in consecutive league appearances for the first time since December 2016 (for Peterborough in League One).
Prutton's prediction
David Prutton predicts: 2-0 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
