Preston vs West Brom Preview: Can the Baggies Drag Themselves Off the Bottom?

Last updated: Saturday 18 April 2026, matchday morning.

Right. It's here. Match day. The one we've been building towards all week and honestly, for a mid-table Championship Saturday afternoon, this one has a bit of everything going on underneath the surface. Preston at Deepdale, West Brom coming up the M6, and a fair bit riding on ninety minutes of football. Get the tea on. Let's go.

Where Things Stand

So Preston sit 13th in the Championship. Not setting the world alight, not in any danger either. Fifty goals scored, fifty-three conceded across the season. That's a team that plays football, gives you entertainment, and occasionally drives their own fans absolutely mad by shipping one at the wrong end. You know the type. Decent enough at home, tidy enough to stay comfortable. Job done, sort of.

West Brom though... look, I don't want to pile on but they are 21st. Twenty-first. Forty-two goals scored, fifty-six conceded. That goal difference is not pretty reading. They are in serious trouble and this is absolutely the kind of fixture they need to be taking points from if they want any chance of getting out of the mess they are in. Come to Deepdale, dig something out, keep the belief alive. Simple enough in theory. Brutal in practice.

Look at the fixtures and the situation writes itself. West Brom need this more. Preston can afford to be loose and free. That dynamic always makes for an interesting watch.

Matchday Lineups

The teamsheets are in and... look, I'd be lying to you if I said I had confirmed XI details beyond what we know from the data sheet. What I'd say is this. Watch the early team news announcements on the club channels and the official EFL app. Both clubs will post their confirmed lineups in the hour before kick-off. Don't trust anything you see on social media before the official confirmation. You know how it is.

What we do know is the shape of this tie. Preston at home, organised, not spectacular. West Brom on the road, under pressure, needing to show something.

Injury Latest

Same story here. The data available to us this morning doesn't confirm specific absentees from either camp, which in itself is interesting. No big names flagged as definite outs. No catastrophic team news dropped overnight. Both squads appear to be travelling into this one with reasonable availability, which for West Brom especially is at least one thing to feel okay about.

Keep an eye on the official club injury updates in the build-up. Championship clubs are usually pretty sharp at getting that information out on matchday morning. If anything significant drops, you'll want to factor it in before placing anything.

The Big Question for West Brom

Honestly, what version of West Brom turns up today? Because there are two versions. There's the one that looks like a proper Championship side, moves the ball well, causes problems. And there's the one that's shipped fifty-six goals in a season and looks all over the place defensively. Fifty-six goals against is not a number that fills you with confidence, is it.

Preston have scored fifty themselves so they are no pushovers going forward either. This could genuinely go either way. Which is exactly why I love this kind of fixture.

The Case for Preston

Home advantage at Deepdale is real. Preston know that ground. The fans know how to generate an atmosphere when the team needs a lift. And a side sitting 13th with nothing particular to play for can sometimes be the most dangerous opponent in football. No pressure, just go and play. That suits Preston down to the ground today.

They've found the net fifty times this season. They can hurt you. And against a West Brom defence that has been leaky all campaign, there is genuine reason to think Preston can make something happen here.

The Case for West Brom

Desperation. I'm serious. Sometimes it's the best motivator in football. When you are staring down the barrel, when the season is on the line, when the travelling fans have made the trip and you cannot let them down... that can produce performances you didn't think the team had in them. West Brom have forty-two goals in them this season. They can score. They just need to tighten up at the back and take their chances when they come.

Away from home, with nothing to lose psychologically, sometimes a team like this just... clicks. You've seen it. We've all seen it. Don't write them off entirely.

Jay's Final Call and... the Acca Corner

Okay. Here we go. I'm going big on this.

My head says Preston nick it. Home advantage, comfortable mid-table security, decent attack against a leaky defence. Give me Preston to win and I'm not going to apologise for it.

My heart though? My heart says both teams score. Fifty goals for Preston, fifty-six conceded by West Brom. These are not teams built for clean sheets. BTTS feels like it was invented for this fixture. Don't @ me.

For the Saturday Special this week, I've got Preston win and both teams to score in this one as part of a wider acca. Will it land? Mate, my hit rate speaks for itself. Back to the drawing board is basically my catchphrase at this point. But you heard it here first and if it comes in, we are absolutely talking about it for the next three weeks minimum. Scenes.

Correct score punt for the brave among you? I'm going 2-1 Preston. Chaos, a late goal, limbs in the away end from West Brom before Preston seal it. Classic Championship Saturday stuff.

Whatever happens, enjoy it. Deepdale on a Saturday afternoon with something on the line for one of the teams. That's what this league is about. Get involved.

Final Odds Snapshot

Always check your preferred bookmaker for the latest prices as these shift on matchday morning, particularly around team news. As of this preview, Preston are the favourites as the home side given their league position advantage over a West Brom side sitting in the relegation places. The draw and a West Brom win are both trading at longer prices. BTTS is the market I'd be watching given both clubs' scoring and conceding records this season. Shop around, get the best price, and please, gamble responsibly.

Right. That's your lot from me. Kick-off later today at Deepdale. Come on then.