Talking Tactics | Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion
Swansea City are back on home turf with West Bromwich Albion the visitors on New Year’s Day. Ahead of the clash, WhoScored.com preview the contest, looking at what to expect from the away side, a key battle and key stat.
What to expect from West Bromwich Albion
West Brom head to south Wales having lost just once in their last five Championship matches, a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Middlesbrough.
Carlos Corberan’s side are flying high in fifth place, and took all three points when they hosted Leeds on Friday evening, to close the gap to Daniel Farke’s team to just three points.
The visitors lead the division for clean sheets, with 12 - at least two more than any other side - while only Leicester are conceding fewer goals per game (0.7) than the Baggies (0.9).
On the road, Corberan’s men have struggled to find the consistency they would like. Indeed, of their last eight away league fixtures, they have won four and lost four, without a victory or defeat coming consecutively.
WhoScored.com’s statistically-developed team characteristics suggest West Brom excel in finishing, scoring from set-pieces, creating chances and protecting a lead.
Corberan, who had previously managed Huddersfield Town, looks to have settled on a 4-2-3-1 formation for his side this term, with seven-goal striker Brandon Thomas-Asante often tasked with leading the line.
Key Battle
After opening the scoring at Coventry on Friday evening in just his fourth league start this season, attacking midfielder Liam Walsh could be crucial once more in Monday’s encounter.
If Walsh is to start on New Year’s Day, his direct opponent in the midfield battle is likely to be West Brom’s Alex Mowatt, who has started the visitors’ last nine matches in a defensive midfield role.
Only defender Cedric Kipre (6.96) boasts a better WhoScored.com rating than Mowatt (6.91) among West Brom players in the Championship this season, while no player can better his current average of 1.7 tackles per game.
Statistically, however, Walsh has no WhoScored.com weaknesses, and his strengths include passing, making key passes, dribbling, set-pieces and ball interceptions.
Walsh’s ability to pick a pass and make runs through the West Brom midfield on Monday could be pivotal to Swansea’s chances, and much of that will be dictated by whether he can get the better of Mowatt in the centre of the park.
Key stats
West Brom are making more accurate crosses per game (5.6) than any other team in the Championship this season, while only Cardiff (13) and Millwall (10) have scored more goals from set-pieces so far.
When it comes to winning balls in the air, the visitors have the edge having won 35 more aerial duels (414) than Swansea (379).
The hosts, then, will have to be wary of the Baggies’ threat from wide - particularly from corners and free-kicks - but can take strength from their record when defending these situations: only Leeds and Hull (both four) have conceded fewer goals via set-pieces than the Swans (five) this term