PREVIEW: Wolves host West Brom in huge Black Country Derby | OneFootball

Jack Buchanan, Chief EFL Editor

Wolves will host West Brom tomorrow afternoon in the first Black Country Derby in the league since 2021, when it was played behind closed doors. The two sides last met at the Hawthorns in the fourth round of the 2023/24 FA Cup, a game in which Wolves ran out 2-0 winners despite lengthy stoppages due to crowd trouble.

The last league meeting with fans in attendance came back in February 2012 and saw West Brom pick up one of their most infamous victories, 5-1 at Molineux thanks to a hat-trick from Peter Odemwingie as well as goals from Jonas Olsen and Keith Andrews. A result that is still sung about week in, week out by many Baggies fans. Wolves’ last league win over their arch rivals came in May 2011.

Both sides have started the season strongly, losing only once so far. Wolves’ loss came to West Ham at the London Stadium on the 1st of this month, whilst Albion’s sole defeat came on their trip to Middlesbrough, where they suffered a 3-1 defeat. Since then, all of the Baggies’ matches have been tight, with the four games resulting in two 1-1 draws and two 1-0 wins over Watford and Derby.

Wolves have yet to show their true quality this season, especially compared to West Ham, who seem to have “clicked” in recent weeks. Wolves’ only truly dominant win came over Stoke at the end of August when they ran out 4-1 winners in front of a sold-out Molineux.

César Peixoto came under some criticism from Wanderers fans the week after starting star striker Raul Jiménez against Everton in the Carabao Cup, only for the Mexican to pick up a first-half injury that has ruled him out of tomorrow’s derby. Meanwhile, Nolan Galves also looks set to miss out for West Brom, having come off injured against Derby last Wednesday. The right-back had been a mainstay in James Morrison’s side up until his injury.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 12:00 BST tomorrow afternoon and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+.