Weekend Preview and Team News

By Jemma Tappenden
April 12 2007

As we enter the last 4 games of the season it's all still to play for at the top of the Championship table. Can the Baggies fulfill the expectations set on them at the start of the season? Or are they destined for the lottery of the playoffs?

West Brom entertain Sheffield Wednesday at the Hawthorns tomorrow night as Championship clubs prepare to enter the final four games of the season. This weekend see a number of important clashes which look set to change things round again at the top of the Championship table.

West Brom kick off the weekend’s action in a televised game at the Hawthorns on Friday 13th (lucky for some!) 19.45pm KO. Other key fixtures see Birmingham City entertain other promotion hopefuls Southampton, who dropped out of the playoff places last weekend. Birmingham, themselves will be looking for all three points as they strive to get back within reach of the automatic promotion places. Blues are currently 4 points off the pace, although they still have a game in hand.

Preston play at Coventry as they seek to put recent bad form behind them. Stoke City are now just a point behind 6th placed Preston, and will be looking to continue their own excellent run of form against Cardiff City at Ninian Park on Saturday. Wolves face a tough test away at Crystal Palace. 10 points away from 6th placed Preston, Palace look to have all but finished their season. But they are unlikely to see it that way, and Wolves will have to work hard if they are to return from Selhurst Park with the points. Top placed Sunderland entertain relegation candidates QPR. They are unlikely to be fazed by a struggling QPR side as they look to extend their 16 game unbeaten run and lead at the top of the table. Other automatic promotion contenders Derby visit Portman Road to face an unpredictable Ipswich Town side.

The Baggies can still make the top 2 if results go their way. But 8 points behind Derby County means a severe change of recent fortunes for Mowbray’s men. They will be boosted by the news that the injured Neil Clement and Kevin Phillips return ready for first team action, and onloan defender Sodje will play through the pain barrier, as will Paul Robinson who will have a pain relieving injection for his groin injury before kick off. The Baggies will also have a fully fit Jason Koumas who has shook off a foot injury. However MacDonald is unavailable and is likely to miss the rest of the campaign if he needs surgery.