Looking to avoid back-to-back relegations, an in-form Luton Town side visit mid-table outfit West Bromwich Albion in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
The Baggies' faint hopes of a top-six finish died in South Wales last time out, whereas the Hatters enjoyed a stunning afternoon at Kenilworth Road versus Coventry City.
Match preview
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After finishing inside the Championship's top six under the tutelage of Carlos Corberan last season, West Brom are heading towards their worst campaign in two decades, with the managerless hosts winning just one of their last nine matches in the second-tier playoff race.
Following back-to-back defeats to Coventry and Derby County over the Easter period, the Baggies' dreams of a return to the Premier League ended last Saturday afternoon, when the Black Country outfit and League One-bound Cardiff City played out a goalless draw.
Unable to beat the second tier's bottom side last time out, West Brom are now mulling around in 10th spot in the Championship standings, five points behind sixth-placed Coventry with only three points left to fight for, signalling the end of the club's push for the top flight.
Certainly under Corberan and during the early part of Tony Mowbray's second reign at The Hawthorns, Albion have been hindered significantly by their lack of consistency, with the Baggies last winning consecutive matches in September - hardly a formula for Premier League promotion.
Losing just four of their 22 Championship battles in the Black Country this season, a West Brom side under the interim leadership of former player James Morrison possess a positive home record, although the likes of Derby and Blackburn Rovers have collected maximum points from The Hawthorns in recent times.
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On April 12, Luton Town were rooted to the very bottom of the Championship rankings following a 1-0 home defeat to Blackburn, with hopes of avoiding relegation all-but gone, but a miraculous turnaround in Bedfordshire has given Saturday's visitors a chance of pulling off a West Brom-esque great escape.
The Hatters are in the midst of a three-game winning run in the second tier after a dramatic final match of the campaign at Kenilworth Road a week ago, when summer arrival Shandon Baptiste netted his maiden goal for the club in the 90th minute to snatch a much-needed maximum.
Matt Bloomfield's men enter Saturday's five-way shootout for Championship safety as the in-form side of the quintet, earning nine points over the past week or so, allowing them to climb to 21st in the second-tier standings, one place and one point above Hull City in the highest of the relegation positions.
After holding their own at points in the Premier League last season, the Hatters have suffered an immense fall from grace during the 2024-25 term, especially on the road, where the Bedfordshire boys have managed only four wins across 22 Championship away contests to date.
As well as collectively, there have also been notable individual struggles for Luton players this campaign, none more so than than Elijah Adebayo, who has netted just five times in 39 Championship appearances despite scoring hat-tricks in the top flight of English football last year.
Team News
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Scoring 12 league goals for West Brom before a calf injury in January, Josh Maja remains on the sidelines for the hosts ahead of Saturday afternoon.
The Baggies welcomed John Swift and Grady Diangana back from the medical room recently, with the pair set to feature for the final time at The Hawthorns before summer exits.
There could be a maiden start of the term for Daryl Dike, who is yet to return to full fitness following a serious Achilles injury last year.
Luton are without the services of two key first-teamers, with assist king Alfie Doughty and striker Adebayo suffering from muscle and knee injuries respectively.
The Hatters' options at the front end of the pitch are reduced further by the absence of Jacob Brown (ankle), who has not featured since March.
West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Griffiths; Furlong, Bartley, Heggem, Styles; Mowatt, Molumby; Fellows, Price, Grant; Dike
Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Naismith, McGuinness, Mengi; Jones, Fanne, Walsh, Bell; Alli, Aasgaard; Morris
We say: West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Luton Town
With nothing to play for, West Brom are the side story this weekend as Luton look to earn a victory that would secure their second-tier status.
The Hatters are bang in form ahead of a trip to The Hawthorns, where there should be jubilant scenes from the away supporters at the full-time whistle, celebrating Championship safety.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
