West Brom vs Stoke predictions: More home joy expected for Baggies
- West Brom are sixth in the table
- Stoke are 19th, just four points clear of relegation zone
- Recommended bet: West Brom to win
West Brom remain in the mix for a play-off place in the Championship this season and they can make it four home wins on the spin with victory over Stoke on Saturday.
The Baggies are still looking for a new boss following Carlos Corberan's exit just before Christmas and could have Chris Brunt in temporary charge again this weekend as they look to bounce back from a 5-1 defeat at Premier League Bournemouth in the FA Cup.
The Potters are unbeaten under their new manager Mark Robins, who has overseen a goalless draw against Plymouth in the league before last weekend's 2-1 victory over Sunderland in the cup.
Team news
Albion have been dealt a major blow with the news that striker Josh Maja needs surgery on a leg injury and the club say he will be out for "several weeks".
Devante Cole is one option to replace Maja, while Karlan Ahearne-Grant could be pushed further forward.
Daryl Dike is thought to be close to a return for the Baggies, but this game looks set to come too soon for him.
Forward Tom Cannon has been recalled by Leicester from his loan spell at Stoke, while the Potters have brought back striker Nathan Lowe from his productive loan stint at League Two Walsall.
Ben Pearson and Ryan Mmaee look set to miss out through injury for the visitors again.
The stats
Both clubs are now without their top scorers this season following 12-goal Maja's injury for West Brom and Leicester's decision to recall Cannon, who hit 11 for the Potters on loan.
West Brom have won their last three home games in the Championship and are unbeaten in their last eight at The Hawthorns.
Stoke's winless away run in the league stands at five games.
The Potters have scored just six away goals in the league all season, with only bottom-of-the-table Plymouth (three) scoring fewer on the road.
West Brom won the reverse fixture at Stoke 2-1 in August.
Prediction
With West Brom still searching for a new boss, Stoke may well fancy their chances of getting something out of the trip to The Hawthorns.
The Potters have shown signs of improvement under Robins with a draw against Plymouth and a morale-boosting cup success at Sunderland, but this is a major test.
The Baggies have been very good at home of late, drawing with high-flying Sheffield United before seeing off Coventry, Bristol City and Preston and they should be able to stay in the top six with another victory.
With both sides now without their leading scorers it is likely to be a close-run affair, but the hosts can edge it.
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