Championship Preview: Portsmouth vs West Bromwich Albion - Analysis and Insights

The Championship returns to its normal scheduling now that the international break has come to an end. It seems as though the campaign started just yesterday, but all teams are somehow already four matches into their season.

Promoted Portsmouth’s fifth game of the season sees them come up against former Premier League shoe-ins West Brom, who are now currently on a four year streak in the championship, their longest ever stint in England’s second division since the reformation of the English football pyramid.

As the game draws nearer, we take a closer look at both sides, investigating tactics, lineups, team news and absences that could decide the final result.

Portsmouth vs West Brom Standings

Home side Portsmouth have certainly had an entertaining start to life in their first Championship campaign since the 2011/12 season.

They opened their account with an enthralling 3-3 draw at Elland Road, where they led last season's play-off finalists Leeds twice, before conceding a dramatic equalizer in the fifth minute of added time.

Portsmouth at Leeds yesterday.

Glad to see #Pompey fans back in the Championship. Scenes in that away end 💣💥 pic.twitter.com/7PA7vp6K8s

— Greatest Football Limbs (@GreatestLimbs) August 11, 2024

They drew their next two league games as well, the first a goalless draw to Luton Town, and the second a 2-2 stalemate at Middlesbrough, before finally being beaten in the most recent game by table toppers Sunderland, losing 3-1.

While they may not have won a league game yet, Portsmouth have certainly shown plenty of character, and picking up points against two of the league’s top sides in Leeds and Luton certainly deserves measured praise.

With 3 points accumulated so far, Portsmouth lie in 18th place, and while they have certainly been harder to beat than many expected, they will still be desperate to achieve their first win of the season.

West Brom have had an impressive start to the 2024/25 campaign, and currently sit in second after four games. They convincingly beat QPR 3-1 on the opening day, before struggling to a 0-0 draw to Leeds at home.

They then won their last two league games, beating Stoke City 2-1 and Swansea 1-0 to occupy the automatic promotion spot, while sitting pretty with a so far unbeaten record.

After an unprecedented stint in the Championship, the Baggies will be hungry to return back to England’s top flight, and their start to the season has gone a long way towards giving them the belief that they can achieve that goal.

Portsmouth vs West Brom Recent Meetings

• 11/04/2009: Portsmouth 2-2 West Brom.
• 07/12/2008: West Brom 1-1 Portsmouth.
• 17/12/2005: Portsmouth 1-0 West Brom.
• 20/08/2005: West Brom 2-1 Portsmouth.
• 15/05/2005: West Brom 2-0 Portsmouth.

Portsmouth vs West Brom Team News

Portsmouth have been fortunate in the early stages of this season, and have full squad availability after everyone avoided major injury in the first weeks of the season.

West Brom have not been so fortunate. They are missing arguably their best player in Grady Diangana after he sustained a shoulder injury against Stoke, but there is confidence amongst the backroom staff that he will be fit enough to at least make the bench.

📋 Team News ahead of #WBA vs #Pompey

ℹ️ Mikey Johnston is set to make his second Albion debut at Fratton Park this weekend.

🤞 There is optimism that Grady Diangana will be fit to travel to Portsmouth, with the shoulder injury he sustained against Stoke not as bad as first… pic.twitter.com/1J21DnqRCx

— WBA Report (@WBAReport) September 12, 2024

However, missing his brilliance down the left from the start will be a big blow to West Brom’s attacking ambitions at Fratton Park this weekend.

Portsmouth vs West Brom Predicted Lineups

• Portsmouth (4-2-3-1): Norris (GK), Swanson, Williams, Towler, Ogilvie, Pack, Dozzell, Ritchie, Lang, Silvera, Saydee.
• West Brom (4-2-3-1): Palmer (GK), Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Heggern, Molumby, Mowatt, Fellows, Swift, Grant, Maja.

Portsmouth vs West Brom Player to Watch

West Brom striker Josh Maja has been a man possessed in the opening games of West Brom’s season. A hat trick against QPR on the opening day signaled his intentions, and he added to that tally with a goal against Stoke.

Josh Maja. Hat-trick Hero. 🦸 pic.twitter.com/Ry0J5yCqqf

— The Baggies Bible (@TheBaggiesBible) August 10, 2024

However, he isn’t just a finisher, but can take on the role of creator when called upon, as exhibited by assisting the Baggies’ only goal against Swansea.

This electric form up front has come almost from nowhere, as last season he only took to the pitch 12 times, and scored just one goal. However, having found a rich vein of form, West Brom will be relying on him to continue his goal scoring escapades up front to push hard for promotion, and when put up against newly promoted Portsmouth, Maja could have a field day.