Preston aim to end agonising losing run at the Hawthorns

In a promotion clash, West Bromwich Albion welcome Preston North End to the Hawthorns in what sets out to be a very open encounter. A Preston win will keep them on the tails of the play-off places and Albion to hope extend their lead at the top of the Championship.

Last time out for West Brom, they were able to cruise past promotion pushing Bristol City as they beat the Robins 3-0. Goals from Hal Robson-Kanu and Callum Robinson saw the Baggies move four points clear at the top of the Championship table.

Preston were also able to pick up all three points in the race for promotion as they managed to beat Hull City 2-1. Mallik Wilks put the Tigers ahead in the first half, but goals from Paul Gallagher and Alan Browne saw Preston complete a comeback and secure all three points.

Team news

West Bromwich Albion are without suspended midfielder Romaine Sawyers for the visit of former Baggies target Alex Neil’s Preston to The Hawthorns.

Sawyers starts a three-game ban for his red card in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Bristol City, so teenager Rekeem Harper may deputise, with Gareth Barry still recovering from a calf injury.

Preston have a doubt over top league scorer Daniel Johnson (knee). Billy Bodin, out since January with an Achilles injury, is close to a return.

West Brom manager Slaven Bilić hailed the “complete performance” from his team which brought a third successive away win in the SkyBet Championship.

“I must say this was a complete performance,” he said.

“I thought for the first 15 minutes there was not much fluidity to the game but then we scored and after that we were in control.

“We were always pressing, pressing and winning the ball high up the pitch. We had opportunities to score more goals I think but to come here to one of your rivals and achieve this score, which was deserved, is a complete performance.

“In defence, all over the pitch, a complete performance.”

North End manager Alex Neil knows his side will have to be at the top of their game as they head to The Hawthorns on Tuesday night to face the Championship leaders.

“It is going to be a tough game,” said Neil. “They have got quality players. They have added really well in January as well and we know it will be a tough match, especially with what is at stake for both teams.

“It is always a difficult place to go and we are going to have to go there and play very well.

“Knowing Callum [Robinson], he will bring his utmost – as he does in every game – and it will be nice to see him, but he will being doing a job for West Brom and we have a job to do for us and we want to go and do the best we can and try and win the game.

“It will be a bit of a blow for them [losing Romaine Sawyers], he is a guy who drops out and builds for them a lot and they will need to fine a solution for that, but they have a lot of options.”

Head-to-head

West Bromwich Albion have won their past four league matches against Preston North End, scoring 11 goals.

Preston have lost their past nine away league matches at The Hawthorns, where they have not won since September 1973, when their manager was Bobby Charlton.