Cheltenham Town vs West Bromwich Albion predictions for this friendly pre-season game with the Baggies that are continuing their preparation to the 2023/24 season. Read on for all our free betting tips and predictions.
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Match Live Tuesday, 18h July at 7:45 pm In:
Cheltenham Town vs West Bromwich Albion Predictions
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A Tale of Two Teams
Key Stats
– West Brom begun their preparations for the new season on a high note, with a 3-1 victory over Shrewsbury.
– The Baggies scored an average of 1.3 goals per game in the last season, demonstrating a potent offence.
As we all gear up for the 2023-24 Championship season, West Bromwich Albion are poised to put their readiness to test with a pre-season face-off against League One side, Cheltenham Town, this Tuesday evening. Last season saw West Brom secure the ninth position in the Championship, a narrow miss from the playoffs by three points. Cheltenham, on the other hand, positioned themselves at 16th in League One, safely nine points clear of the relegation zone.
A Tale of Two Teams
Cheltenham have had a commendable journey since their promotion from League Two at the culmination of the 2020-21 season. Following their leap, they maintained a steady presence in the third tier of English football, ranking 15th and 16th in the subsequent seasons. Their pre-season performance signals an upswing, with victories in all three opening friendlies, beating Evesham United, Swindon Supermarine, and Weston-super-Mare.
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In contrast, West Brom’s trajectory has been a struggle uphill after their relegation from the Premier League in the 2020-21 season. Despite securing a 10th and 9th rank in their past two seasons in the Championship, the Baggies’ hunger for a return to the top tier remains unquenched.
Eyeing the Top Half
Cheltenham are rearing to breach into the top half of the division this season. Their winning streak in the pre-season, under the watchful eye of Wade Elliott, offers a beacon of hope. With victories against Evesham United, Swindon Supermarine, and Weston-super-Mare, the Robins have their sights set high. Their team dynamic is further enhanced with the addition of four new players – Luke Southwood, Curtis Davies, Jamie Pardington, and Rob Street – and Reece Hutchinson’s return from his loan stint at Sligo Rovers.
On the other hand, West Brom, helmed by Carlos Corberan, look to pierce through the upper echelons of the division. A lack of fresh signings in the summer market may appear worrisome, but a 3-1 win over Shrewsbury in their first preparatory match presents a contrary picture.
The Key Players
Cheltenham’s duo, Davies and Street, who scored their maiden goals in the 2-1 victory over Weston-super-Mare, are predicted to hold their place in the starting lineup. Elliott’s strategy of sticking with the same side for a major part of the match seems to be paying off, and is expected to continue. Keep an eye on the promising 17-year-old Freddie Wilcox, whose recent performance might just earn him a spot in Tuesday’s match.
West Brom’s Conor Townsend, who scored the first goal in the friendly against Shrewsbury, is likely to keep his position in the starting XI. Other players to watch out for are Jed Wallace and Adam Reach. Although Corberan’s strategy of utilising his entire squad is anticipated, Karlan Grant’s move to Cardiff City on loan leaves a gap to be filled.
Predictions and Rationale
Prediction 1: Win-Draw-Win – West Brom Win
Given West Brom’s track record, superior quality and performance against Shrewsbury, it seems highly probable they will overcome Cheltenham in the pre-season friendly, despite the latter’s recent winning streak.
Prediction 2: Correct Score – 3:1
The Baggies have been consistent with their scoring pattern, averaging 1.3 goals per game last season. Cheltenham, with an average of 1.0, has been less so. Considering both teams’ form and the aggressive approach expected in such a friendly game, a 3:1 victory in favour of West Brom seems a reasonable expectation.
Prediction 3: Goalscorer – Conor Townsend
After a successful scoring streak in their friendly against Shrewsbury, Conor Townsend stands a good chance of finding the net again against Cheltenham. With Grant’s departure, Townsend’s role becomes even more crucial for the Baggies.
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