Championship

The Hawthorns

Wednesday 6th April 2022 - 20:00
West Brom
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Bournemouth
Key Events

WBA huddle

West Bromwich Albion host promotion-chasing AFC Bournemouth at The Hawthorns on Wednesday night (ko 8pm).

The Baggies' four-game unbeaten run was ended by Steve Bruce's former club Birmingham City on Sunday afternoon, with Blues striker Lyle Taylor scoring the contest's only goal from the spot in the second 45.

The Cherries arrive in confident fashion, sitting second in the Sky Bet Championship on 72 points from their 37 matches, and are hot favourites to end the campaign inside the top two.

They recorded another big three points on Saturday afternoon, beating Bristol City 3-2 at home thanks to strikes from Dom Solanke, Lewis Cook and Siriki Dembele.

The teams drew 2-2 on the opening night of the Sky Bet Championship season

How to follow the game

Supporters can follow Wednesday's clash with the Cherries live on WBA TV Matchday, with coverage starting from 7.45pm.

If you’re located in the UK, you can access live commentary from WBA Radio duo Gez Mulholland and former midfielder Andy Johnson. If you’re not an existing subscriber, audio match passes are available for £2.50.

Supporters living overseas can watch the game live with a video match pass for £10.

Match passes can be purchased here. Supporters can watch the match live by clicking here, or via the free-to-download WBA app.

WBA TV Matchday

Opposition

AFC Bournemouth are in pole position to secure promotion back to the Premier League having spent the last two years outside England's elite division.

The Cherries have collected 72 points from their 37 matches, sitting comfortably clear of the chasing pack in second with a number of games in hand on those trying to hunt them down.

Former Charlton, Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham, Spurs, Fulham and England midfielder Scott Parker is the man in charge at the Vitality Stadium having taken over ahead of the start of the 2021/22 Sky Bet Championship campaign.

Wednesday's guests will arrive at The Hawthorns in red-hot form, taking 23 points from the last 30 on offer, winning seven of their last ten matches and losing just once.

They've won two on the bounce and came from behind to beat Bristol City on home soil most recently at the weekend.

Forward Dom Solanke scored against the Robins on Saturday afternoon taking his league tally to 24 goals - a record bettered only by Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrović.

The Cherries are chasing promotion to the Premier League

Classic clash

Albion recorded a 2-1 Premier League win over Wednesday's visitors in February 2017.

Josh King put the Cherries ahead early on with a penalty, but strikes from defenders Craig Dawson and Gareth McAuley before the break were enough to earn the Baggies three points.

Did you know?

Albion and AFC Bournemouth only met for the first time in a league game in September 1987.

The Baggies won that contest at The Hawthorns 3-0 in the old Division Two, and there have only been 16 league meetings since. 

Albion's overall head-to-head record against AFC Bournemouth reads won nine, lost eight and drawn five.

Ahmed Hegazi scored the only goal of the game the last time Albion hosted Bournemouth in August 2017

LV BET's latest odds

Albion are priced at 3/2 (2.50) to beat AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday.

The Baggies have won two of the last four games against the Cherries, scoring six goals in the process. LV BET have Bruce’s men at 9/4 (3.25) to win the game and score over 1.5 goals, and at 39/10 (4.90) to take all three points without conceding.

Karlan Grant comes in at 23/10 (3.30) to find the back of the net for the 15th time this season, with Callum Robinson at 11/5 (3.20) to get his name on the scoresheet at any time. 

Register here and use the code WBAxLVBET to claim a £5 No Deposit Bonus and a chance to win WBA hospitality tickets! 18+ begambleaware.org. Terms apply. Odds are subject to change.

LV BET

Additional information

Supporters should be aware the metro is currently out of use. As a result, train services on matchdays to and from The Hawthorns are likely to be extremely busy.

Albion fans are advised to consider alternative routes and allow for extra time when travelling if using the train.

Andy Carroll celebrates his goal against Bournemouth

Albion beat AFC Bournemouth 2-0 under The Hawthorns lights in the Sky Bet Championship on Wednesday evening.

First half goals from Alex Mowatt and Andy Carroll - combined with a resolute defensive showing - were enough to see the Baggies bounce back against their high-flying south coast opponents.

They return home again on Saturday to face Stoke City (KO 3pm) and celebrate the club’s annual Foundation Day.

Andy Carroll celebrates his goal against Bournemouth

Steve Bruce made two changes to his starting XI as Andy Carroll and Grady Diangana replaced Karlan Grant and Callum Robinson.

And his side fired themselves into an early lead when, on the eight-minute mark, Mowatt smashed a superb effort home from the edge of the area.

It got better for the Baggies shortly after – Sam Johnstone sending Carroll through on goal with a long pass, and the striker getting the ball under control before finishing emphatically.

Andy Carroll scores against Bournemouth

Dominic Solanke almost glanced Bournemouth back in the game but it was mainly Albion searching for another midway through the half, Mowatt volleying wide and Semi Ajayi heading a corner over.

The remainder of the first period saw the visitors control possession yet struggle to create any clear-cut chances, with Bruce’s men going into the interval two-up.

Grady Diangana on the ball against Bournemouth

The away team came out in search of a goal to make things interesting, yet efforts by Adam Smith, Philip Billing and Jordan Zemura all went off-target.

Jayson Molumby and Callum Robinson were brought on to offer fresh legs as Albion looked to see the game out – though Livermore’s side-footed shot, which creeped over, could have added a third for the hosts.

Despite pressure from Bournemouth in the final stages and seven minutes of stoppage time, the Baggies managed to preserve their clean sheet and claim all three points in B71.

Albion: Johnstone; Furlong (Molumby 68), Ajayi, Bartley, Clarke, Townsend; Gardner-Hickman, Livermore, Mowatt (O’Shea 85); Diangana (Robinson 74), Carroll.

Substitutes: Button, Kipré, Reach, Fellows.

Attendance: 20,501.