West Bromwich Albion vs Rotherham United

15th December

West Bromwich Albion will step out at The Hawthorns for the first time since mid-November on Saturday afternoon when Rotherham United visit B71 (ko 3pm).

Carlos Corberán's men have the opportunity to win their fifth successive Sky Bet Championship match this weekend having won 2-1 up at Sunderland on Monday night in what was their opening fixture back following the World Cup break.

Visitors Rotherham United, who were promoted from League One last year, sit level on points and one place below the Baggies in the league table.

The Millers suffered a 3-1 defeat to Bristol City at home on Saturday, leaving them with just one win from their last eight league fixtures.

Striker Brandon Thomas-Asante celebrates scoring a spectacular goal in Albion's last home game against Stoke City

Follow the match live

Supporters can listen to live audio commentary of Albion's clash with Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon on WBA Radio.

Gez Mulholland and Andy Johnson will bring you every kick from The Hawthorns. Audio passes can be purchased for £2.50 here after 5pm on Friday.

Albion fans inside and outside the United Kingdom (selected countries) can also watch the game live on WBA TV. A video match pass is available to purchase for £10 here after 5pm on Friday.

Live updates will also be posted across the club's social media channels throughout the afternoon.

Our opponents

Rotherham United will be hoping the 2022/23 campaign is the one where they're able to buck the trend of being unable to retain their Sky Bet Championship status.

The Millers have been relegated from the second tier in all of the last three seasons in which they've competed in the division, while also winning promotion from League One in all of their previous three campaigns in the third tier.

Saturday's guests made a really positive start to the season and lost just one of their opening nine league fixtures, but recently they've hit a difficult patch and have won just one of their last eight in the Championship.

Former Exeter City boss Matt Taylor left the Grecians in early October to join Rotherham after long-standing manager Paul Warne departed for Derby County.

Taylor will be keen to see his side gather positive momentum over the Christmas period and three points at The Hawthorns would be the ideal way to start.

Rotherham United are the next visitors to The Hawthorns

From the Albion Archive

Albion beat the Millers 2-1 the last time they hosted them at The Hawthorns in April 2019.

Clark Robertson scored the first of the afternoon for Rotherham who had Semi Ajayi playing for them in defence.

But the Baggies hit back with two late strikes to secure victory. Jay Rodriguez's penalty brought the hosts level before Rekeem Harper fired in a winner from the edge of the area - his maiden strike for the club.

One for the stattos

Albion will be searching for a fifth win in six matches against the Millers.

The Baggies have scored 13 goals in their four previous games in which they've beaten Saturday's opponents.

Former loanee Dwight Gayle scored a hat-trick against Rotherham in December 2018

Fan Zone

The Fan Zone will be open for West Bromwich Albion and Rotherham United supporters in possession of a match ticket from midday on Saturday.

Fans can enjoy on-stage events, guest speakers, live football on the big screen, plenty of food and drink offerings and several activities for children.

Ticket details

Season ticket holders have the chance to bring a friend to the match for just £10 adults and £5 Under-25s. This offer can be redeemed up until kick-off against Rotherham.

Season ticket holders can click here to buy tickets.

Tickets are now on general sale and can be purchased online, in person from the East Stand Ticket Office or by calling 0121 227 2227.

Travel

On Saturday, members of the RMT will take part in a strike from 00:01 to 23:59. Local and national rail services will, therefore, be very limited on these dates.

Supporters should plan ahead and consider their travel options, as their normal journey is likely to take longer.

There will be no rail services calling at The Hawthorns on Saturday, so Baggies fans will need to use an alternative mode of transport and are advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk before travelling.

Metro and Bus services are in operation. You can plan your journey on the Transport for West Midlands website.

17th December

Albion’s return to The Hawthorns following the World Cup break was marked with a fantastic 3-0 win over Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon.

The victory, watched by a festive crowd of 22,519, is the Baggies’ fifth straight Sky Bet Championship triumph.

Jed Wallace’s first-half finish was added to by substitutes Grady Diangana and Brandon Thomas-Asante in the second period as the hosts claimed another important three points.

Next up, Carlos Corberán’s men make the short trip to Coventry this Wednesday in search of their sixth consecutive success.

Tributes were paid pre-match to Club Doctor Julian Widdowson, who sadly passed away last weekend, and supporters gave further applause during the game in memory of the children involved in the Babbs Mill Park tragedy, as well as for Fanzone worker Liberty Charris.

The boss made two changes to his starting XI, replacing Jayson Molumby and Thomas-Asante with Tom Rogic and Daryl Dike – who both scored at Sunderland on Monday night.

And it was Rogic who created the opener for Albion, his skill and defence-cutting pass playing Jed Wallace through to slot brilliantly past Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.

The Baggies were well on top and unfortunate not to double their advantage ahead of half-time, as Okay Yokuslu clipped the outside of the post via a long-distance drive and Wallace saw two ambitious efforts saved.

Rotherham started the second 45 strongly and quickly forced Alex Palmer into a good save, the ‘keeper denying Chiedozie Ogbene at close-range.

But, just as he did at the Stadium of Light, Corberán turned to his bench for an impact – and substitute Diangana delivered with his first touch, volleying home Wallace’s cross to double Albion’s lead no more than 60 seconds after entering the pitch.

Fellow substitute Thomas-Asante almost got on the scoresheet straight away when his sliding shot was well-stopped by Johansson, along with Diangana’s follow-up.

He didn’t have to wait long for his goal, though, earning a penalty before stepping up from 12-yards and finding the back of the net despite Rotherham’s goalkeeper saving his initial attempt.

And Albion ensured they remained strong in the final stages to secure a clean sheet and see out the win in style.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, O’Shea, Pieters, Townsend; Swift (Gardner-Hickman 67), Yokuslu, Rogic (Molumby 74); Phillips (Diangana 56), Dike (Thomas-Asante 57), Wallace (Grant 74).

Substitutes: Button, Kelly.

Attendance: 22,519

Saturday 17th December 2022 - 15:00