The Championship weekend kicks off on Friday night, and we've got a massive game in the playoff race taking place, one that also sees two fairly local sides going head to head. West Brom are the hosts, inside the playoffs in 5th right now, they welcome Coventry, a team on the outside, in 9th, and in need of a win to get closer to the top six again.
West Brom Form GuideWest Brom have been in 5th for a large part of the season and they remain there, although the gap they had over those behind has got a lot smaller, and it's something they'll want to build back. With 56 points, they've got a four point gap over those outside the top six, so regardless of what happens this weekend, they'll still be in the top six.
Last weekend, they drew away at Hull, a side in the playoff battle with them, so they'll be happy with that. A big 3-0 win over Plymouth before that was a great boost, and a very good performance. This is another tough test, and against a team who are becoming a little desperate for points.
Coventry Form GuideCoventry fought their way into the top six just a few weeks ago, but are now in 9th, and are four points behind Hull in 6th, with a further point to West Brom, their opponents here. Coventry have four points from their last three, all the other playoff teams have seven, that's where they've fallen.
They were beaten heavily in their last league game by another playoff side, Preston, Coventry lost that game 3-0 and it was at home, a very disappointing defeat. They've since played in FA Cup action on Monday night, beating non league Maidstone 5-0, but that does mean this is their third game in eight days, a busy schedule.
Match PredictionIn a big game at the top of the Championship, I am going to take West Brom to win all three points here. They have a solid record in big games, and with Coventry coming here after a slip, and potentially tired, I think West Brom can use their home crowd to get the job done.