For the first time in what feels like an eternity, West Brom will be heading into a Championship fixture without having to juggle with player fitness due to a midweek game.
The Baggies will go into today’s game against Brentford fully refreshed after having plenty of time to recover following their dramatic 3-2 win against Birmingham City last weekend, yet Slaven Bilic’s side will have it all to play for this afternoon against the Bees.
For all the firepower West Brom have, with the Championship table showing the Albion have scored the most goals out of any side in the division, they have struggled at times this season to get the ball at the back of the net, and against Brentford, it could be a showing of an unstoppable force vs. an immovable object.
Will West Brom be top of the Championship going into 2020?Yes, we have the form to win every gameNo, the festive period is just too hectic |
As the league table shows, Thomas Frank’s side have been brilliant defensively this season, conceding the second-fewest goals this campaign with 17 in 22 games as well as keeping the second most clean sheets with eight as stats from Transfermarkt show.
Indeed, today will be a good test of West Brom’s champion credentials, but also a stern trial as to if they Baggies can maintain their 12-game unbeaten run.
Bilic will know that anything a win is essential today with Leeds United breathing down their necks in the league standings, but maintain their impressive unbeaten streak will also be on the agenda for the Croatian manager, and with Brentford flying at the moment with their fantastic young side that can both attack and defend, there’s a good chance West Brom’s run could be broken.
West Brom stands head-and-shoulders above the majority of Championship sides this season, but Brentford have shown in recent weeks that they can be capable of mingling with the best sides in the division, and their watertight defence will be a major obstacle for the Albion to overcome.