Match Preview | West Bromwich Albion vs Cardiff City
The Bluebirds travel to The Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon.
The fixture will take place on October 26th, 3pm KO.
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OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
The Baggies’ manager is Carlos Corberán, who has been in the role since October 2022.
The Spaniard’s first senior managerial experience was with Cypriot side Doxa, before going on to being named manager of Leeds United’s U23s.
During his time at Elland Road, Corberán moved up to the first team under boss Marcelo Bielsa, whilst also working with the U23s.
Switching to Huddersfield Town in 2020, Corberán guided the Terriers to the Championship Play-Off Final in 2022, where the side were narrowly defeated by Nottingham Forest.
After a spell with Olympiacos, he moved to West Bromwich Albion for his second spell as a manager in the English second tier.
Since being appointed, Corberán has won 44 of his 96 games in charge, a win percentage of 45.83%.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
West Bromwich Albion welcome the Bluebirds currently sitting fourth in the Sky Bet Championship table.
Since their return from the international break, the side have recorded two points from their last two matches.
In an away fixture at Oxford United, the Baggies took the lead through former City loanee Karlan Grant, only for Dane Scarlett to equalise late-on for the hosts.
Their most recent match was at Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park, in which they were held to a goalless draw.
The Baggies have been better away from home this season, claiming 11 points from six away matches, while their five home games have resulted in eight points.
Their home record ranks 19th in the division, while they are second in the away table.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
The Baggies’ most dangerous player this season has been striker Josh Maja.
The attacker broke through at Sunderland and impressed in League One, before moving to French side Bordeaux.
Maja has previously gained loan experience at Fulham and Stoke City, before joining West Bromwich Albion permanently in August 2023 on a three-year deal.
So far this season, the striker has netted seven goals in 11 matches, averaging a goal every 132 minutes.
CLUB CONNECTIONS | BLUEBIRDS & BAGGIES
This weekend could see a few players face their former clubs, starting with Callum Robinson.
The City striker has netted three goals in his last five appearances and represented the Baggies on loan in 2020, before representing them permanently between 2020 and 2022.
Winger Karlan Grant spent last season on loan in the Welsh capital. Having returned to West Bromwich Albion this season, he has two goals so far this campaign, coming against Stoke City and Oxford United.
Defender Semi Ajayi was a Bluebird between 2015 and 2017, before going on to establish himself at The Hawthorns.
Joining in 2017, he has amassed over 150 league appearances for the Baggies.