2021-22 EFL Championship Betting Preview – West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion 2021-22 betting odds & predictions

Victor Anichebe / West Brom ©IMAGO / ANP 07/08/2015

West Bromwich Albion 2021-22 EFL Championship Preview
Baggies to bounce back?

Valerien Ismael is the new man at the helm at The Hawthorns after West Bromwich Albion’s relegation from the Premier League. Ismael did a remarkable job at Barnsley last season, fully warranting his big move to the Midlands. The Frenchman will be hoping to hit the ground running at The Hawthorns.

Several players have left the club in the summer months, including Kieran Gibbs, Hal Robson-Kanu and Branislav Ivanovic. Can Ismael build a team capable of challenging for the Championship title this season? Check out our in-depth West Brom betting preview.

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2020-21 Review: Albion drop back down

After winning promotion from the Championship the season before, West Brom’s ultimate ambition was to stay in the Premier League last term. However, they had a tough start under Slaven Bilic, losing six and drawing three of their opening nine fixtures. The Baggies first victory came against bottom club Sheffield United on 28th November, which was game ten.

After a 5-1 home loss to Crystal Palace and a 2-1 reverse at Newcastle United in their next two, Bilic’s days at The Hawthorns were numbered. Despite guiding the team to a shock 1-1 draw at Manchester City, the Croatian was relieved of his duties straight after. Sam Allardyce, who was a Premier League survival expert, was announced as Albion’s new manager on the same day.

Our betting prediction:
West Brom top Midlands club
5/4

Bet at Paddy Power

 

(odds taken 1743 GMT, Tuesday 27 July)

 
Big Sam’s first game was a 3-0 home reverse to in-form Aston Villa, though West Brom shocked Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in match two, with Semi Ajayi netting in a 1-1 draw at Anfield. In the space of just a couple of weeks, West Brom had drew at the Etihad Stadium and Anfield. Unfortunately, they went on to lose six of the next eight.

West Brom stunned Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in early April. By this point, the Midlands outfit needed a miracle to survive, but it was one of the performances of the season in the Premier League. Matheus Pereira (2), Callum Robinson (2) and Mbaye Diagne scored in the famous 5-2 romp at the Bridge. West Brom followed that up with a 3-0 home win over Southampton.

Victory over the Saints proved to be their final win of the season. The Baggies ended with a whimper, losing five and drawing two of their last seven. Overall, they picked up a mere five wins, suffered 22 defeats and drew 11 times to finish on 26 points.

Our betting prediction:
West Brom to finish in the top six
5/6

Bet at 22Bet

 

(odds taken 1745 GMT, Tuesday 27 July)

 

 

2021-22 Fixtures: Opening day trip to Bournemouth

West Brom start life back in the Championship with a tough trip to the Vitality Stadium to play Scott Parker’s Bournemouth. They then host Luton Town and Sheffield United in successive home matches before travelling to Blackburn Rovers and Peterborough United.

On Boxing Day, West Brom make the trip to Derby County before hosting Preston North End at the end of 2021. 2022 kicks off with a tricky home match with Cardiff City. Their final away fixture will take place at the Madejski Stadium, and their Championship campaign ends with a matchup against Barnsley at The Hawthorns.

West Bromwich Albion Key Facts

  • West Brom were one of the 12 founding members of the Football League in 1888
  • Albion were English champions back in 1920
  • In the 2019-20 Championship, West Brom finished second
  • The Baggies suffered an instant return from the Premier League last term

 

West Brom Transfer News: Big overhaul at The Hawthorns

Following relegation, several first-team players have left The Hawthorns this summer. Kieran Gibbs has signed for Inter Miami, Lee Peltier has rejoined Neil Warnock at Middlesbrough, and Charlie Austin’s move to Queens Park Rangers was made permanent. Sam Field has also moved to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

Ahmed Hegazy has switched to Al-Ittihad, while Rekeem Harper has moved to Ipswich Town. Hal Robson-Kanu, Kamil Grosicki, Branislav Ivanovic, Andy Lonergan, Kyle Edwards and Cheikh Diaby have all been released.

There have not been many incomings, but the capture of Barnsley skipper Alex Mowatt could turn out to be an excellent bit of business. The midfielder was influential for the Tykes as they reached the Championship play-offs last season. Also, Matt Clarke has made the loan move to The Hawthorns from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Who Are Albion’s Biggest Challengers: Can Baggies go up automatically?

West Brom, Fulham and Sheffield United will all be targeting an instant return to the Premier League after suffering relegation. Naturally, the three are the bookies’ favourites for promotion. However, one or two other clubs could have a say in this season’s promotion battle. Who will be West Brom biggest challengers this term?

Fulham Preview: Instant return for Cottagers?

Marco Silva’s Fulham are the bookies’ favourites to win this season’s EFL Championship. However, with so many top teams in the second tier this year, the title race will no doubt be as captivating as ever.

Silva has made some shrewd signings, and the Cottagers’ team looks as strong as anyone’s in the Championship. After also suffering relegation from the Premier League last term, can Fulham bounce back at the first time of asking?

Sheffield United Preview: Can Blades recover from horrendous season?

Sheffield United had a season to forget in the Premier League. They never got going and finished rock bottom with just 23 points to their name. Paul Heckingbottom did a respectable job after Chris Wilder’s departure, and now former Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic is in the Bramall Lane dugout.

Sheffield United caused an upset when they were promoted from the Championship a couple of years ago, and the Yorkshire side could need similar heroics this time around. The bookies have them priced at 8/1 to lift the Championship trophy come May.

Bournemouth Preview: Parker to be a big hit at the Vitality?

Scott Parker did a sterling job during his spell as Fulham boss. He rebuilt the squad after their poor relegation and got the Cottagers back in the Premier League at the first time of asking. However, despite a brave effort, Parker took them down last term.

Bournemouth finished in the play-offs in their first season back in the Championship last term, but it was certainly a turbulent campaign. Eddie Howe left after the relegation, and his assistant Jason Tindall lasted until February. Jonathan Woodgate then took over and guided the Cherries to sixth place. They will be hoping to avoid the play-offs altogether this term and go up automatically.

Cardiff City Preview: Bluebirds to build under Big Mick?

Mick McCarthy’s Cardiff could be the dark horse in the race for promotion this season. The ex-Republic of Ireland boss did an outstanding job in Wales after arriving last January, taking the Bluebirds from 15th to eighth. City even had a spell in the play-off places.

Cardiff have added to their squad in the summer with some sensible signings, and Wales star Kieffer Moore will be raring to go again after an excellent first season at the Cardiff City Stadium. Keep your eye on the Bluebirds this year.

Baggies players to watch out for in the 2021-22 season: Robinson to shine?

A number of top players have left this summer, but West Brom still have a Premier League squad. Callum Robinson, who made a permanent switch last season, was a big hit with the Baggies supporters. Robinson scored four times against Chelsea as well as netting in the 3-0 win over the Saints in April. Robinson could be a dangerous player at this level.

As we touched on, the capture of Mowatt from Barnsley could be an excellent move by the club. After Barnsley’s promotion back to the Championship, Mowatt became a massive player in the heart of the midfield at Oakwell. Ismael and Mowatt will be hoping to strike up the same energy at The Hawthorns.

Our West Bromwich Albion Predictions: Baggies to reach the top six

The battle for promotion this year promises to be a memorable one. Ismael’s men will surely be one of the big hitters, but can they secure their Premier League status after just one year away from the top tier?

At the time of writing, West Brom are priced at 7/1 to win the league and 11/4 for promotion. Only Fulham are available at shorter odds right now. Finishing in the top two will be a tough task, but the Baggies will be targeting the play-offs as a bare minimum this season. You can get 5/6 for Albion to seal a top-six finish.

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