West Brom moved to the top of Championship after last Sunday’s 3-0 success away to Portsmouth and they will be hoping to consolidate the position when taking on Plymouth at the Hawthorns.
The Baggies continue to make steady progress under Carlos Corberan, who has got them playing with discipline and intensity.
They have conceded only two league goals and approach the weekend searching for their third consecutive clean sheet.
However, they will be mindful of not underestimating Plymouth, who have improved since a 4-0 loss at Sheffield Wednesday on the opening week of the season.
Argyle have taken five points from their last four games, including last Saturday’s 3-2 victory at home to Sunderland.
West Brom manager Corberan favours continuity and has named the same starting XI for each league match this season. Mikey Johnston, Grady Diangana and Jed Wallace are among the players hoping to be promoted from the substitutes’ bench and Daryl Dike (Achilles) is a long-term absentee.
Plymouth boss Wayne Rooney may also opt for familiarity after watching his team defeat Sunderland last weekend. However, he could consider the merits of attacker Freddie Issaka, who has completed a three-game ban. Goalkeeper Conor Hazard (ankle) has been ruled out until December.
The Baggies have kept clean sheets in each of their last four home fixtures.Five of West Brom’s last six home fixtures have featured less than three goals.Plymouth have avoided defeat in three of their last four fixtures.Two of Plymouth’s last four league games have finished 1-1.Four of Plymouth’s last five fixtures have featured under three goals.
Plymouth raised a few eyebrows when they won 3-2 at home to Sunderland last weekend and they can upset the odds once again by sharing the points with West Brom in the midlands.
The markets have been pretty dismissive of the Devonians despite mounting evidence of progress from the men in green.
Rooney’s side started the season with a dismal 4-0 loss at Sheffield Wednesday but they have been competitive in each of their other fixtures and showed great character and quality last weekend by coming from behind to win 3-2 against Sunderland.
Argyle have risen to 16th and they will strive to offer plenty of resistance against Albion, who they held to a 0-0 draw in last October’s clash at the Hawthorns.
West Brom continued their strong start with a 3-0 victory at Portsmouth last Sunday, but they have scored just once in their last three home matches and could be dragged into a close contest this weekend.
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