West Bromwich Albion v Birmingham City preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, latest news

Championship football returns with a West Midlands derby clash when Birmingham City take a short five-mile trip to the Hawthorns on Friday.

Facing a West Brom side that could return to the top of the table with a victory, even if for 24 hours with Coventry and Bournemouth in action on Saturday.

Lee Bowyer’s Blues will be hoping for a change in fortunes as the squad are coming off the back of four defeats in five outings, with their last three-points dating back to September 10.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this important derby match-up.

When is the game?

West Brom will play host to local rivals Birmingham City at the Hawthorns on Friday 15 September.

The game is set to kick-off at 8pm and is the first Championship fixture taking place following the international break.

Where can I watch it?

If you are not filling out one of the 27,000 seats inside what is expected to be a noisy and tense Hawthorns on Friday, the derby clash will be available to watch on Sky Sports Football, using NOW TV or the Sky Q app.

Team news

Dara O’Shea will remain a long-term absentee for West Brom as he continues his recovery from an ankle fracture.

Matthew Clarke is fit again after several weeks on the sidelines due to a hamstring issue, with the defender in contention to return to Ismael’s back three.

Alex Mowatt remains a possible doubt after suffering a foot injury during West Brom’s defeat to Stoke City at the beginning of the month.

There are no new injury concerns for the Baggies coming out of the international break, with forward Callum Robinson hoping to retain his place in the line-up following his hat-trick hero performance for Republic of Ireland against Qatar on Tuesday.

Whilst Birmingham have no new fitness worries, with Lee Bowyer expected to have Dion Sanderson, Troy Deeney and George Friend all in contention to be brought into the team.

Form guide

West Bromwich Albion: DDDWWL

Birmingham City: WLLDLL

The Baggies remain near the summit of the Championship table (2nd), but are coming back from a disappointing defeat against Stoke City that ended their 10-game-unbeaten-run in the league.

Whilst the Blues have struggled this campaign as they hope to use this game to increase the gap between them and the dreaded relegation zone (16th).

Lee Bowyer’s men have found scoring goals an issue, with no open-play contributions in the last five outings.

Head-to-head record

This is not positive reading for Birmingham City fans.

West Brom have been incredibly dominant in this fixture over the years, with five wins and three draws in the last eight times these two sides have met.

The Blues’ last victory over the Baggies was nearly 15 years ago in the league, when a Gary McSheffrey brace sunk a West Brom side that was managed by now Blackburn Rovers gaffer Tony Mowbray.

The last time these two sides met was a 0-0 stalemate at the Hawthorns last June, a result that Lee Bowyer would definitely take on Friday night.

Betting odds

West Bromwich Albion - 4/7

Draw - 14/5

Birmingham City - 9/2