West Bromwich Albion's Championship home form will be tested this Saturday when they host Watford at The Hawthorns. The 3pm BST kick-off sees the Baggies aiming to return to winning ways and stay in the upper half of the table, as reported by sports.yahoo.com. Carlos Corberán's side, currently 7th in the Championship with 7 points from 4 games, are unbeaten in their last nine home league matches.
Watford arrive having won just one of their last twelve league outings, a 2-1 victory over Southampton on the opening day. Their recent away form at The Hawthorns is poor, having lost both of their last two visits. A third consecutive away defeat at West Brom would match a negative run last seen between October 1983 and December 1985.
Can West Brom extend their home unbeaten run?
The Baggies' fortress at The Hawthorns has been a source of strength. Their nine-game unbeaten streak at home includes three wins and six draws. Another positive result this weekend would mark the ninth time in the last twelve Championship seasons that West Brom have started a home campaign with a three-match unbeaten run. This resilience will be vital as they look to close the three-point gap to league leaders Swansea City.
Corberán will be without winger Mikey Johnston, who is currently sidelined, but will hope his team can rediscover the scoring touch that has seen them net 7 goals this term while conceding 6. Fans can track the team's progress in the standings as the season develops.
What is Watford's recent record against West Brom?
Historical data presents a mixed picture for the Hornets. West Brom won the last meeting between the sides 3-0 back in April. A victory on Saturday would give the Baggies back-to-back league wins over Watford for the first time since November 2007, when they managed three consecutive victories. Watford's overall form, however, is a major concern, with just four draws and seven losses from their last twelve league games.
Individual battles could be key, particularly in wide areas. Watford players Iker Bravo and Othmane Maamma have each attempted 19 dribbles in the Championship so far this season. Only Wolverhampton Wanderers' Mateus Mané, with 24, has attempted more.
How does this match fit into the wider season?
This fixture is a chance for West Brom to build momentum before a busy period. After facing Watford, the Baggies travel to face 16th-placed Derby County on September 9th. The full schedule of upcoming challenges is available on the club's fixtures page.
With both teams seeking a result for different reasons, the midfield contest will be intense. West Brom's solidity at home, where they have taken 7 points from a possible 9 this season, contrasts with Watford's struggles on the road. The Baggies' squad depth and current injury status can be monitored on the official injuries page.
The final whistle on Saturday will reveal if West Bromwich Albion's home dominance continues or if Watford can spring a surprise to kickstart their own campaign.
