Preston North End vs West Bromwich Albion Prediction, Preview and Stats

England flag 2025/2026 Championship, England
Deepdale Sat, 18 Apr - 2:00 PM
Championship
Preston North End PNE
0 Winner 2
West Bromwich Albion WBA
Full Time Sat, 18 Apr 2:00 PM
Round 43 Regular Season
|
Goal
Daryl Dike  - 77'
Josh Maja - 11'

CONTEXT

West Bromwich Albion claimed a solid 2-0 win against Preston North End at Deepdale, extending their first-half lead into a second goal after the interval. Despite Preston dominating possession at 53% to West Brom's 47%, the home side struggled to break through, mustering no goals from their opportunities. West Brom, entering as the stronger team, capitalized efficiently on their chances, showcasing composure under pressure. The result marked a significant 55.9% structural deviation in West Brom's favor, aligning closely with pre-match market assessments where they held a 44.1% implied probability of victory ahead of Preston's 27.1% and a 28.8% draw chance. No red cards disrupted play, and efficiency metrics remained in line with expectations, underscoring West Brom's tactical edge in a controlled performance.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: West Bromwich Albion secured a significant 55.9% structural deviation in their 2-0 victory.
  • Efficiency shift: Efficiency shift aligned precisely with pre-match expectations throughout the contest.
  • xG alignment: xG alignment undetermined due to unavailable match data.
  • Market alignment: Outcome perfectly matched pre-match market alignment indicators.
  • xG expectations: xG expectations unassessable from absent performance metrics.
  • Event impact: No notable events altered the match's progression or balance.
  • Red card distortion: Zero red cards ensured no distortion from player dismissals.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality

Match referee

J. Smith

25 matches in sample
Avg. cards 0.12
Fouls / match 0.52
Yellow cards / match 0.12
Red cards / match 0
Penalties / match 0

Other match officials

S. Hudson

1st Assistant

A. Dallison

2nd Assistant

S. Parkinson

4th Official

Preston North End P. Heckingbottom
P. Heckingbottom
VS
West Bromwich Albion J. Morrison
J. Morrison
1.24
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
0.97
1.33 i
Last 6 Opponents
Charlton Athletic Rank: W
Queens Park Rangers Rank: D
Leicester City Rank: D
Stoke City Rank: W
Norwich City Rank: L
Coventry City Rank: L
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
Millwall Rank: D
Blackburn Rovers Rank: D
Wrexham Rank: D
Bristol City Rank: W
Hull City Rank: W
Southampton Rank: D
4
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
4 - 3 - 12
12

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home Preston North End
27.11%
Draw
28.77%
Away West Bromwich Albion
44.11%

Movement

Changes since opening
Preston North End
+26.89%
Draw
+26.85%
West Bromwich Albion
-53.75%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power score: composite of opponent-weighted form (last 6 & 20 games) and league position over last 3 seasons.
20.32
25.54
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Preston North End
West Bromwich Albion
Power Score
20.32
25.54
League Position
16
20
Global Rank
-
-

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Preston North End — Opponent-weighted form score
West Bromwich Albion — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Preston North End West Bromwich Albion

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Preston North End

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

West Bromwich Albion

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Preston North End ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy West Bromwich Albion
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
21.04
21.17
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
21.17
21.04
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Preston North End -0.01 Efficiency Index
vs
West Bromwich Albion +0.01 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Preston North End
West Bromwich Albion
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Preston North End ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy West Bromwich Albion
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Preston North End West Bromwich Albion
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
—
—
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
— vs —
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Preston North End West Bromwich Albion
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
—
—
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
— vs —
xG set-piece data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using proxy metrics (shots, dangerous attacks). Confidence: Medium.
Preston North End
West Bromwich Albion
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Preston North End
vs
West Bromwich Albion
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Preston North End West Bromwich Albion
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Preston North End 0.21
West Bromwich Albion 0.21
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Preston North End West Bromwich Albion
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Preston North End 0.05
West Bromwich Albion 0.00
Preston North End
West Bromwich Albion
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • PNE had peak pressure around 101'.
  • WBA started the game with stronger pressure.
PNE Pressure WBA Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: PNE reached the top pressure at 101' (63.66).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 19 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Preston North End PNE Home
19 matches
West Bromwich Albion WBA Away
Match Record
4
Wins
12
3
Draws
3
12
Losses
4
Goals
17
Goals Scored
36
36
Goals Conceded
17
-19
Goal Difference
+19

Data last updated: 2026-04-19T00:04:26+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 3-5-2
Match Formation 4-4-2
Pitch
D. Iversen
Denmark
1 D. Iversen
O. Offiah
England
42 O. Offiah
J. Storey
England
14 J. Storey
L. Gibson
England
19 L. Gibson
B. Potts
Substitution
England
44 B. Potts
A. Devine
England
21 A. Devine
B. Whiteman
Substitution
England
4 B. Whiteman
A. Moran
Substitution
Republic of Ireland
23 A. Moran
A. Hughes
Wales
16 A. Hughes
D. Jebbison
Substitution
Canada
9 D. Jebbison
L. Dobbin
England
17 L. Dobbin
Pitch
M. O’Leary
England
1 M. O’Leary
C. Styles
Hungary
4 C. Styles
G. Campbell
United States
6 G. Campbell
N. Phillips
England
3 N. Phillips
D. Imray
England
30 D. Imray
I. Price
Substitution
Northern Ireland
21 I. Price
A. Mowatt
England
27 A. Mowatt
O. Diakite
Mali
17 O. Diakite
J. Molumby
Republic of Ireland
8 J. Molumby
J. Maja
Substitution
Nigeria
9 J. Maja
A. Heggebø
Substitution
Norway
19 A. Heggebø

General Information

Date & Time :
Apr 18, 2026, 02:00 PM
Competition :
2025/2026 Championship, England · Round 43 · Regular Season
Stadium :
Deepdale
Capacity :
23408
Attendance :
17996
Pitch Surface :
Grass
Weather :
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees :
Joshua Smith
Shaun Hudson
Andrew Dallison
Stephen Parkinson

Statistics

Possession
PNE
51%
WBA
49%

Top Statistics

0 Goals 2
1 Big Chances Created 2
9 Shots 8
43 Dangerous attacks 39
53 Possession 47
8 Corners 6
12 Free kicks 7

Match Overview

0 Assists 2
45 Successful Dribbles Percentage 50
5 Successful Dribbles 6
24 Throwins 27
102 Ball Safe 95
9 Goal Kicks 4
11 Dribble Attempts 12
15 Successful Headers 20
4 Substitutions 3
3 Injuries 1
4 Goal Attempts 4
1 Hit Woodwork 0

Attacking

105 Attacks 107
1 Big Chances Missed 0

Possession

34 Successful Long Passes Percentage 39
284 Successful Passes 272
24 Successful Long Passes 25
74 Successful Passes Percentage 78
385 Passes 349
70 Long Passes 64
4 Key Passes 8

Defensive

10 Interceptions 11
16 Tackles 14
50 Duels Won 46
1 Saves 1

Build-up

23 Total Crosses 18
3 Accurate Crosses 5

Discipline

3 Offsides 1
7 Fouls 12

Lineup

Referee : Joshua Smith

Starting XI ▼

1
Daniel Iversen
Daniel Iversen Goalkeeper
6.95
14
Jordan Storey
Jordan Storey Defender
6.93
19
Lewis Gibson
Lewis Gibson Defender
6.83
42
Odeluga Offiah
Odeluga Offiah Defender
6.71
4
Ben Whiteman
Ben Whiteman Midfielder
7.07
15
Jordan Andrew Thompson
Jordan Andrew Thompson
Midfielder13'
6.63
16
Andrew Hughes
Andrew Hughes Midfielder
6.77
21
Alfie Devine
Alfie Devine Midfielder
7
23
Andrew Moran
Andrew Moran Midfielder
6.65
26
Thierry Small
Thierry Small
Defender46'
6.58
44
Brad Potts
Brad Potts Midfielder
6.87
24
Michael Smith
Michael Smith
Attacker72'
6.71
9
Daniel Jebbison
Daniel Jebbison Attacker
6.67
28
Milutin Osmajic
Milutin Osmajic
Attacker61'
6.75
17
Lewis Dobbin
Lewis Dobbin Attacker
6.84
Referee : Joshua Smith

Starting XI ▼

1
Max O'Leary
Max O'Leary Goalkeeper
6.64
3
Nat Phillips
Nat Phillips Defender
7.04
4
Callum Styles
Callum Styles Defender
6.84
6
George Campbell
George Campbell Defender
6.94
30
D. Imray
D. Imray Defender
6.8
8
Jayson Molumby
Jayson Molumby Midfielder
6.83
17
Ousmane Diakité
Ousmane Diakité Midfielder
6.78
21
Isaac Price
Isaac Price Midfielder
6.99
37
Oliver Bostock
Oliver Bostock
Attacker90+2'
6.57
27
Alex Mowatt
Alex Mowatt Midfielder
6.99
9
Josh Maja
Josh Maja Attacker
6.65
10
Karlan Grant
Karlan Grant
Attacker86'
6.68
19
Aune Heggebø
Aune Heggebø Attacker
6.79
12
Daryl Dike
Daryl Dike
Attacker70'
6.55

Events

2ND-HALF
90+2'
Event
Oliver Bostock → Isaac Price
7th Substitution
86'
Event
Karlan Grant → Josh Maja
6th Substitution
77'
Event
Daryl Dike 
Right foot shot / 2nd Goal
Event
Michael Smith → Brad Potts
5th Substitution
72'
70'
Event
Daryl Dike  → Aune Heggebø
4th Substitution
Event
Milutin Osmajic → Daniel Jebbison
3rd Substitution
61'
Event
Thierry Small → Andrew Moran
2nd Substitution
46'
1ST-HALF
Event
Jordan Andrew Thompson → Ben Whiteman
1st Substitution
13'
11'
Event
Josh Maja
Right foot shot / 1st Goal

Match Commentary

90
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for West Bromwich Albion: Oliver Bostock replaces Isaac Price.
90
Attempt Attempt
Lewis Dobbin's shot for Preston North End is blocked. He attempted a right-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by Michael Smith.
90
Update Update
Jordan Thompson from Preston North End won a free kick in defense.
90
Corner Corner
Milutin Osmajic of Preston North End hits the bar with a header from close range after a corner.
90
Update Update
The fourth official has indicated there will be 5 minutes of added time.
90
Corner Corner
Preston North End win a corner after Nathaniel Phillips concedes.
90
Update Update
Foul committed by Ousmane Diakité of West Bromwich Albion.
90
Update Update
The second half ends with Preston North End losing 0-2 to West Bromwich Albion.
90
Attempt Attempt
Lewis Dobbin from Preston North End had a missed chance, heading the ball from the center of the box just to the left. The assist came from Thierry Small's cross.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded to Preston North End after a concession by Jayson Molumby.
90
Corner Corner
Andrew Hughes from Preston North End had a missed chance, shooting with his right foot from the center of the box, but the shot went high after a corner.
88
Update Update
Jordan Thompson from Preston North End won a free kick on the left wing.
88
Update Update
Jayson Molumby from West Bromwich Albion committed a foul.
87
Update Update
Danny Imray of West Bromwich Albion won a free kick in defense.
87
Update Update
Foul committed by Andrew Hughes of Preston North End.
86
Update Update
There is a delay in the match due to an injury to Jordan Thompson of Preston North End.
86
Update Update
There is a delay in the match due to an injury to Jayson Molumby from West Bromwich Albion.
82
Update Update
Foul committed by Jordan Thompson of Preston North End.
82
Update Update
Jayson Molumby from West Bromwich Albion won a free kick in an attacking position.
80
Update Update
Foul committed by Andrew Hughes of Preston North End.
80
Update Update
Jayson Molumby from West Bromwich Albion won a free kick on the right wing.
77
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! West Bromwich Albion lead 2-0 with Daryl Dike scoring from the center of the box with a right-footed shot into the top center of the goal. Jayson Molumby provided the assist.
74
Update Update
Offside called against Preston North End. Michael Smith is offside.
72
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for Preston North End: Michael Smith replaces Brad Potts.
71
Update Update
Foul committed by Odeluga Offiah of Preston North End.
71
Update Update
Isaac Price from West Bromwich Albion won a free kick on the left wing.
70
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for West Bromwich Albion: Daryl Dike replaces Aune Heggebø.
69
Corner Corner
Corner awarded to Preston North End after a concession by Josh Maja.
69
Attempt Attempt
Alfie Devine's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
68
Update Update
Alfie Devine from Preston North End won a free kick in the attacking area.
68
Update Update
Foul committed by Josh Maja of West Bromwich Albion.
65
Update Update
Milutin Osmajic from Preston North End won a free kick in defense.
65
Update Update
Milutin Osmajic from Preston North End won a free kick in defense.
63
Attempt Attempt
Callum Styles' left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. The assist came from Josh Maja.
63
Update Update
Fouled by George Campbell of West Bromwich Albion.
61
Update Update
Offside called against Preston North End. Daniel Jebbison is offside.
61
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for Preston North End: Milutin Osmajic replaces Daniel Jebbison.
58
Update Update
Offside called against West Bromwich Albion. Aune Heggebø is offside.
57
Corner Corner
Preston North End win a corner after George Campbell concedes.
57
Attempt Attempt
Alfie Devine's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
56
Corner Corner
New attacking attempt. Brad Potts of Preston North End heads the ball from the center of the box, but Max O'Leary of West Bromwich Albion saves it in the top right corner. The assist comes from Jordan Thompson's cross.
56
Corner Corner
Preston North End win a corner after Max O'Leary concedes.
55
Update Update
Foul committed by Jordan Storey of Preston North End.
55
Update Update
Josh Maja of West Bromwich Albion won a free kick in an attacking position.
53
Corner Corner
Preston North End win a corner after Callum Styles concedes.
52
Attempt Attempt
Lewis Dobbin from Preston North End missed a chance, shooting with his right foot from the center of the box. The assist came from Daniel Jebbison.
49
Update Update
Jordan Thompson from Preston North End won a free kick in defense.
49
Update Update
Foul by Josh Maja of West Bromwich Albion.
48
Corner Corner
West Bromwich Albion win a corner after Lewis Gibson concedes.
45
Update Update
Aune Heggebø of West Bromwich Albion committed a foul.
45
Update Update
Odeluga Offiah from Preston North End won a free kick in defense.
45
Update Update
The first half ends with Preston North End 0, West Bromwich Albion 1.
45
Corner Corner
Preston North End win a corner after Jayson Molumby concedes.
45
Attempt Attempt
Isaac Price's right-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. The assist came from Danny Imray's cross.
45
Update Update
The second half begins with the score at Preston North End 0, West Bromwich Albion 1.
45
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for Preston North End: Thierry Small replaces Andrew Moran.
45
Update Update
The fourth official has indicated that there will be 4 minutes of added time.
42
Attempt Attempt
Josh Maja of West Bromwich Albion had a missed chance, shooting with his right foot from the center of the box, but it went close and missed. The assist was provided by Alex Mowatt.
41
Update Update
Foul committed by Danny Imray of West Bromwich Albion.
41
Update Update
Andrew Hughes of Preston North End won a free kick in defense.
39
Update Update
Ousmane Diakité from West Bromwich Albion won a free kick in defense.
39
Update Update
Foul committed by Andrew Moran of Preston North End.
35
Corner Corner
West Bromwich Albion is awarded a corner after Brad Potts concedes.
35
Update Update
Daniel Iversen from Preston North End won a free kick in defense.
35
Update Update
Aune Heggebø fouled a player from West Bromwich Albion.
34
Update Update
Odeluga Offiah from Preston North End won a free kick in defense.
34
Update Update
Foul committed by Alex Mowatt of West Bromwich Albion.
33
Update Update
Foul committed by Jayson Molumby of West Bromwich Albion.
33
Update Update
Andrew Hughes of Preston North End won a free kick in defense.
32
Attempt Attempt
Alfie Devine from Preston North End missed a header from the center of the box, assisted by a cross from Andrew Hughes.
29
Corner Corner
West Bromwich Albion win a corner after Daniel Jebbison concedes.
28
Corner Corner
Corner awarded to West Bromwich Albion after Lewis Gibson concedes.
26
Corner Corner
West Bromwich Albion win a corner after Brad Potts concedes.
25
Update Update
Foul committed by Andrew Moran of Preston North End.
25
Attempt Attempt
Aune Heggebø's left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Ousmane Diakité provided the assist.
25
Update Update
Ousmane Diakité of West Bromwich Albion won a free kick in defense.
23
Update Update
Offside called against Preston North End. Jordan Storey is offside.
22
Update Update
Jordan Thompson from Preston North End won a free kick in defense.
22
Update Update
Foul committed by Josh Maja of West Bromwich Albion.
16
Update Update
There is a delay in the match due to an injury to Alfie Devine from Preston North End.
14
Update Update
Danny Imray from West Bromwich Albion won a free kick in defense.
14
Update Update
Foul committed by Andrew Moran of Preston North End.
13
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for Preston North End: Jordan Thompson replaces Benjamin Whiteman due to injury.
12
Update Update
There is a delay in the match due to an injury to Benjamin Whiteman from Preston North End.
11
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! West Bromwich Albion leads 1-0 after Josh Maja scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the right corner, assisted by Aune Heggebø.
7
Corner Corner
Preston North End win a corner after Alex Mowatt concedes.
6
Update Update
Isaac Price from West Bromwich Albion committed a foul.
6
Update Update
Brad Potts from Preston North End won a free kick in defense.
4
Update Update
George Campbell's header from inside the six-yard box is blocked on the left side. The assist came from Alex Mowatt's cross.
3
Corner Corner
Corner awarded to West Bromwich Albion after Andrew Moran concedes.

CONCLUSION

West Bromwich Albion's 2-0 triumph over Preston North End highlighted their superiority as the stronger side, converting limited possession into decisive goals while frustrating the hosts' majority share. This result, featuring a significant structural deviation and full market alignment, reinforces West Brom's promotion credentials in a campaign marked by such efficiencies. Preston's inability to capitalize despite control exposes ongoing finishing woes, potentially hindering their playoff aspirations. With no disruptions like red cards, the scoreline reflects pure execution, positioning West Brom favorably for upcoming fixtures.

Preston North End vs West Bromwich Albion preview with tactical analysis, xG context, lineup signals, and data-backed betting insights for faster decisions.

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Daniels Zorge

Daniels Zorge covers football fixtures with a focus on tactical matchups, playing styles, and key details that shape each game.