Relegated West Bromwich Albion F.C. opens the Championship campaign with a game against Bolton F.C., a team which was in a similar situation to The Baggies, but unlike their opponent, they escaped relegation with a last-round 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
West Bromwich Albion F.C. outlook – Darren Moore faces a new type of challenge
New manager Darren Moore took over the team in April and had more success within six games than Alan Pardew had across the entire season. Moore was even voted as the Manager of the Month, yet it wasn’t enough to save WBA from dropping out. West Bromwich won three games and drew two, but lost the final fixture against Crystal Palace.
Nevertheless, Moore was trusted with the role of guiding the team back to the Premier League. The pre-season has been very promising, with four wins and one draw from five games. West Bromwich Albion F.C. scored in every game, with at least two goals in all the wins. The team lost two starting lineup mainstays in Jonny Evans (Leicester) and Ben Foster (Watford) and replaced them with Kyle Bartley (Swansea) and Sam Johnstone (Manchester United). James McClean also left the club to join fellow relegated squad Stoke City.
WBA Player to watch: Hal Robson-Kanu
With Salomon Rondon connected with a move to Newcastle United, Hal Robson-Kanu has stepped up in pre-season friendlies. The experienced Welshman knows how to handle the Championship, thus he might be in for a highly productive season, especially if Rondon indeed leaves. Jack Livermore is another player to watch when West Bromwich Albion takes The Hawthorns pitch on Saturday at 16:00 CET.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Sheyi Ojo on West Bromwich radar
Tosin Adarabioyo is a player firmly on WBA’s radar. The 20-year-old Manchester City centre-back is at a point in his career where he needs regular playing time to develop, making a loan move to the Championship very likely. West Brom is leading a host of interested clubs in the race to sign Liverpool’s talented 21-year-old winger Sheyi Ojo. Stoke City, Birmingham, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough are in on Ojo, who spent last season on loan at Fulham, although he missed the majority of it with a shoulder injury. He was included in Liverpool’s U.S. tour and scored a goal against Manchester United. Liverpool’s €17 million asking price might be too high for The Baggies, but a loan deal with the obligation to buy remains a distinct possibility.
Bolton F.C. outlook – new additions could make life easier for The Wanderers
Bolton’s near bullet miss last season came at the back end of a seven-game winless streak during which they lost six and drew one contest. They survived, but judging by The Wanderers’ pre-season results, the team might be in for another uphill battle. Two wins, two draws and a loss against all but one (Girona) lower tier opposition don’t provide many reasons for hope.
Bolton Player to watch: Adam Le Fondre
Players like Adam Le Fondre and Shola Ameobi will be asked to carry the burden. Help is expected from some new summer arrivals as well. Right-back Pawel Olkowski (Koln), centre-forward Clayton Richardson (Sheffield United), winger Yanic Wildschut (Norwich loan) and youngsters Joe Pritchard (Tottenham U23) and Stephen Duke-McKenna (Everton U18) should act as a refreshment which could help Bolton F.C. do better this season.
Bolton Wanderers chasing Matthew Pennington
The Bolton Wanderers are in on Matthew Pennington, Everton’s centre-back who spent last season on loan at Leeds. He was made available for loan again after signing a new deal with The Toffees. Leeds United wanted to sign him on a permanent deal as well, but they’ll be happy to bring him back as a loaned player too. However, they face stiff competition from Championship rivals Wigan, Blackburn and Bolton, who have all expressed interest in the 23-year-old.
West Bromwich Albion F.C. vs Bolton F.C. Betting Odds