West Brom vs Brighton preview, team news, stats, prediction, kick-off time, live on Sky Sports
West Brom are without the suspended Semi Ajayi; Brighton manager Graham Potter is expected to include Tariq Lamptey; follow West Brom vs Brighton live on Sky Sports PL and Main Event from 2.45pm; kick-off 3pm; watch free highlights shortly after full time on Sky Sports website and app
Saturday 27 February 2021 16:13, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of West Brom vs Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Team news
West Brom are without suspended central defender Semi Ajayi for Brighton's visit to The Hawthorns.
Ajayi serves a one-match ban after being sent off in the goalless draw at Burnley and Dara O'Shea is expected to partner Kyle Bartley at the heart of the Albion defence.
Robert Snodgrass' knee injury will not be risked, but the Scotland winger is expected to be fit for the home game against Everton on Thursday.
Brighton manager Graham Potter is expected to include Tariq Lamptey in his matchday squad for the first time since December 16.
The 20-year-old has trained this week, and will need to be assessed ahead of the trip, but is expected to be included.
Adam Webster will remain sidelined, however, with the Seagulls manager confirming his return was not likely before the international break.
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How to follow
Live Premier League
West Brom vs Brighton is live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 2.45pm; kick-off 3pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
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Jones Knows prediction
The Baggies are a bet here at 3/1 with Sky Bet. That's a big price.
Brighton just cannot be trusted at odds-on against teams that play a low block. Graham Potter's team have won one from seven games against teams that like to defend deep and counter.
Sam Allardyce has left his Houdini act too late in the day to conjure up a miraculous escape but his side are now a competitive team, capable of winning games in the Premier League. They were magnificent at Burnley, somehow spurning big chances with 10 men to slip to another draw. In another world, they would be coming into this game with back-to-back wins having made life difficult against Manchester United too.
The impact of Mbaye Diagne has much to do with West Brom's upturn in performances. He only has one goal to his name but has recorded an expected goals figure of 2.76 in his last four games - that's the most created by any player since he signed bar Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling. Four of his shots in that period have come via a header, including his goal in the draw with United. All three goals Brighton have conceded of late have come via opposition centre-forwards getting in where it hurts and Diagne looks a fair bet to score with a header at 14/1 with Sky Bet.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 2-1
BETTING ANGLE: Mbaye Diagne to score a header (14/1 with Sky Bet)
Last time out...
Opta stats
- West Brom have never lost in 10 previous home league meetings with Brighton (W6 D4). It's the most they've faced an opponent at home in the Football League without ever suffering defeat.
- Brighton have only won one of their 11 top-flight meetings with West Brom (D6 L4), winning 3-1 in September 2017.
- West Brom are winless in their last seven Premier League games (D3 L4), and also their last seven Premier League home games (D2 L5). The Baggies have conceded a league-high 55 Premier League goals so far this season.
- West Brom are averaging just 7.8 shots per game in the Premier League this season, the lowest rate on record in a single campaign in the competition (since 1997-98).
- Brighton have lost just one of their last six away league games (W2 D3), with that defeat coming at league leaders Manchester City.
- All four of Brighton's games against teams starting the day in the relegation zone this season have ended in a draw, with three of those finishing goalless.
- Brighton's first eight away league games this season saw 24 goals scored, at an average of three per game (F11 A13). The Seagulls' last four on the road have seen just five goals scored, just over one per game (F3 A2).
Pitch to Post Preview - Jamie Redknapp's Liverpool verdict. Plus: Chelsea v Man Utd build-up, and Tottenham's tricky Burnley test
On this week's Pitch to Post Preview Podcast, Jamie Redknapp joins Peter Smith to assess where Liverpool stand right now. The Sky Sports pundit explains why he thinks it would be a surprise if they make the top four and the reasons why he expects them to get back to their top level next season.
We also hear from Sky Sports football writer Jack Wilkinson, who assesses Chelsea's start under Thomas Tuchel, Man Utd's talk of the title, and gives his verdict on why the next couple of months could be key for the future of Jose Mourinho and Tottenham. Plus he shares his Pitch for the weekend!
Listen to the Sky Sports Pitch to Post Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox
