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West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End get the ball rolling in the new year when they square off at the Hawthorns on New Year's Day. Having failed to win the last four meetings between the two teams, Paul Heckingbottom’s men will head into the game looking to get one over the Baggies and secure a dream start to 2025.
West Bromwich Albion fought back from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Bristol City in their final outing of 2024 at the Ashton Gate Stadium on Sunday. While the Baggies have failed to win their last five games on the road, they return home, where they are on a seven-game unbeaten run since a 1-0 loss against Middlesbrough in October.
West Bromwich Albion have picked up 37 points from their 24 Championship games to sit eighth in the table but could move into fifth place with a win on Thursday.
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Preston North End, on the other hand, wrapped up 2024 in style as they thrashed Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 when the two sides squared off at the Deepdale Stadium last Sunday.
Heckingbottom’s men have gone unbeaten in eight of their last nine matches — picking up three wins and five draws — with a 2-1 loss against Queens Park Rangers on December 21 being the exception.
With 29 points from 24 matches, Preston North End are currently 14th in the Championship standings, level on points with 13th-placed Millwall.
West Bromwich Albion vs Preston North End Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- With 52 wins from the last 121 meetings between the sides, West Bromwich Albion boast a superior record in the history of this fixture.
- Preston North End have picked up 41 wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on 28 occasions.
- West Brom are unbeaten in their last four games against Heckingbottom’s side, picking up three wins and one draw since a 1-0 defeat in October 2022.
- Preston North End have failed to win 10 of their 11 Championship away matches this season, losing 10 and claiming five draws so far.
- West Brom are unbeaten in their last seven home matches, claiming two wins and five draws since a 1-0 defeat against Middlesbrough on October 1.
West Bromwich Albion vs Preston North End Prediction
West Brom have struggled for consiistency in recent weeks but will be backing themselves to get the result on home turf, where they are unbeaten in seven straight games.
Preston’s form on the road leaves a lot to be desired and we fancy the Baggies to come away with the desired result.
Prediction: West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Preston North End
West Bromwich Albion vs Preston North End Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - West Brom to win
Tip 2: Both sides to score - Yes (Both sides have scored in five of West Brom’s last seven games)
Tip 3: Less than 10.5 corners - Yes (There have also been fewer than 11 corner kicks in four of the Baggies’ last five games)
