Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs. Cardiff City - prediction, team news, lineups

West Bromwich Albion play host to Cardiff City on Sunday afternoon knowing that they require all three points to stay in immediate contention for the automatic promotion places.

While the Baggies head into the weekend in fourth position in the standings, Cardiff sit just three points above the relegation zone despite an improved run under Steve Morison.

Match preview

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There have been times in the past when the West Brom hierarchy have made ruthless decisions regarding their managers, and that is something that Valerien Ismael will be aware of as he bids to keep the Baggies in the hunt for the top two.

Nevertheless, the Frenchman's focus needs to be on trying to find solutions in attack, West Brom having now scored just five goals in their last 10 outings.

It is a remarkably low return which makes you look twice and the shock factor has not been lost on their supporters, who witnessed their club lose 1-0 at bottom-placed Derby County on Monday.

There is an argument that luck was not on their side at Pride Park, but there can be no getting away from the fact that West Brom are not playing like a team who deserve to be in fourth position.

On a positive note, they still possess the best defence in the division and are yet to lose at The Hawthorns, something which gives Ismael reason for optimism ahead of this contest.

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West Brom won the reverse fixture in September by a 4-0 scoreline, a result which turned out to be Cardiff's fourth defeat of an eight-match losing streak.

However, Morison has instigated a better run of results in South Wales, with 11 points being collected from his nine games in charge.

Cardiff have failed to win any of their last three fixtures, but their two setbacks during that period came against Sheffield United and Bournemouth.

A comeback 2-2 draw at Birmingham City is sandwiched between those defeats, an important show of character after the capitulation versus the Blades.

Nevertheless, Thursday's 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth made it 21 league games without a clean sheet, a run which needs ending sooner rather than later.

Team News

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Ismael is expected to make numerous changes to his West Brom XI, with youngsters Tom Fellows and Taylor Gardner-Hickman in contention for a start.

Callum Robinson is likely to keep his spot in attack, but Alex Mowatt and Karlan Grant have been declared available after coronavirus.

Cardiff will have to make do without Leandro Bacuna after he was sent off during the first half of the defeat at Bournemouth.

Kieffer Moore could also miss out through injury, with Rubin Colwill and James Collins in line to be recalled to the starting XI.

Sean Morrison and Marlon Pack are in contention in central defence and midfield respectively.

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:

Johnstone; Kipre, Bartley, Clarke; Gardner-Hickman, Livermore, Molumby, Townsend; Fellows, Robinson, Diangana

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Smithies; Morrison, Flint, Nelson; Ng, Pack, Ralls, Giles; Harris, Colwill; Collins

We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Cardiff City

Everything points to this contest not being too easy on the eye, but it will feel like an opportunity for both sides to get back on track. The home team are seemingly in the better place to do just that, and they could edge this contest by a solitary goal.