MATCH PREVIEW: West Brom vs. Charlton Athletic - Wednesday 2nd September 2026 - 7:45pm Kick-Off
West Bromwich Albion vs. Charlton Athletic
Wednesday 2nd September 2026 - 7:45pm Kick-Off
Referee: Farai Hallam
Introduction
Top of the League... the sole club left in the entire Football League with a 100% record... I'm sure even the most optimistic of fans couldn't have predicted this start to the 2026/27 season, yet here we are, on top of the pile that is the Championship. I don't think there is a single Charlton fan who expects us to stay here, and am sure that by the time May rolls around, we'll be in a more familiar position - Doesn't mean that we shouldn't enjoy this lofty position whilst we can... Even if I'm already starting to get nose bleeds.
The Opposition
Name: West Bromwich Albion (7th) - Manager: James Morrison
Ground: The Hawthorns
Previous League Result: Middlesbrough 3-1 West Brom
At the same time I guess we shouldn't be overly surprised by our current situation in the League table, this is the Championship after all, even the entire Football League has a habit of throwing up a club or two that defies not just Pre-Season predictions, but also the odds... Take Hull City for example who swapped 21st with Play-Off Final success in just twelve months, so if it can happen to others... Why can't it happen again? - West Bromwich Albion themselves could be another to keep an eye on for that very reason.
I say that because West Brom, like the Addicks were of course in a relegation battle last year, and even survived a late scare given the minor points deduction they received, ending the campaign in 21st (just like Hull City the year before)... The Baggies would go through three Managers: Ryan Mason, Eric Ramsay and James Morrison... the latter finally got given the job on a permanent basis having twice been Interim Manager last year, and guided the club to safety, when at times it didn't look possible, especially when you factor in the 13-game winless run.
When victory was finally achieved West Brom would only lose just once in the remaining nine games, and the Baggies have continued that form into this campaign... Two wins in their first two games, with victory at Norwich (2-1) and at home against Burnley (3-1); James Morrison will be looking to get the club back to winning ways after a 3-1 loss at the Riverside on the weekend.
In terms of signings and the hosts have certainly dipped into the Transfer Market with 13 new players to date... Whether they, or the visitors to the Black Country this Wednesday evening can keep up their form over the course of the season remains to be seen, but given the fortunes of both not too long ago... Am sure we'll both enjoy it in the meantime.
Charlton Team News
When the Addicks made the trip to the Hawthorns back in March, we did so looking to avoid being the first team to lose against Erik Ramsay, thankfully we salvaged a 1-1 draw but even then you had to wonder how West Brom were in such a mess in the first place... As a result I suspect our trip to West Bromwich will be a harder proposition tomorrow night, and its a relief that we don't have a mini-injury crisis even this early into the season.
Unfortunately though we might have to rest Amari'i Bell with Nathan Jones admitting that the Jamaican defender was forced to play against Preston with a minor injury... Thankfully we've already dipped into the Transfer Market with Tyler Bindon joining on loan from Nottingham Forest, and will be the prime suspect to replace Bell if we made any changes to the backline - Elsewhere and Sonny Carey continues to struggle for form and was replaced by Millenic Alli at Half-Time, he was involved in the build up to the sole winning goal against Preston on Saturday, and will surely be making a case to earn his first League start in Charlton colours
Okonkwu
McNamara - Jones - Bindon - Mesik
Coventry - Mwamba
Alli - Grant - Campbell
Leaburn
Substitutes: Brooks - Bell - Costello - Ouma - Asiimwe - Carey - Knibbs - Mbick - Apter
Comments
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I’ll be chuffed if we manage to come away from this with a point.Looking a little ahead.
Stoke are at home tonight.
We are away tomorrow.
We are then playing away against Stoke Saturday at 12:30.
No wonder Jones rested players against Spurs.12 -
I’d be very nervous going with that midfield away to a good West Brom side. I think Carey will keep his place, he was poor in a game where we had 57% possession but this will be a very different game and we will need his work rate in midfield.I’d go with just one change with Bindon in for Bell. If we need to go for a goal then we can make the same Alli for Carey change as Saturday
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This one has 3-3 written all over it. Get the popcorn in. 😉2
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Cheers didn't realise that with the KO this weekendSKY / the EFL seem to have a habit of doing this though, making one team play on the Wednesday and then the early KO on Saturday as it happened to us a couple of times last year, and remember Ipswich having to deal with the same sort of schedule when they visited the Valley last year - Definition of being c**tsLikewise I'll be delighted if we come away with a point tomorrow... Doesnt feel a very happy venue for us.4
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Stoke looks a much more winnable game. Wonder if we might see more changes tomorrow night, maybe Mbick in for Leaburn who might not be able to start all 3FishCostaFortune said:I’ll be chuffed if we manage to come away from this with a point.Looking a little ahead.
Stoke are at home tonight.
We are away tomorrow.
We are then playing away against Stoke Saturday at 12:30.
No wonder Jones rested players against Spurs.3 -
Worth remembering we're back to the dreaded fourth game in our winning runLast time we achieved four wins back to back was October 20205
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West Brom 0-1 Charlton (Grant)
We are going to be a different beast this season - The youth all came up together and are tight nit - The seniors have a calmness to them.
We are very well drilled and with a bit of spice and magic from any one of Grant, TC or Mwamba - Leaburn is also due a goal after some exceptional performances.
We've seen in the past Jones put something excellent together only to be limited by playing staff - this time we have more and in this early phase of the season I can see us continuing to do well.
Curbs talked about the type of player that we could attract and that is coming to fruition.
I'm bullish and a win at West Brom would have been really dreaming
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When was the last time we did 6?ForeverAddickted said:Worth remembering we're back to the dreaded fourth game in our winning runLast time we achieved four wins back to back was October 2020
0-3, TCx2 and Alli with the goals.1 -
Was the same run of games... Went on to win six on the trot that October / NovemberStu_of_Kunming said:
When was the last time we did 6?ForeverAddickted said:Worth remembering we're back to the dreaded fourth game in our winning runLast time we achieved four wins back to back was October 20202 -
We are bang in form, West Brom are a good side and will want to get back to winning ways after their weekend defeat. Set up for a draw which we will welcome more than they will. A 1-1 draw - Bindon and Jones solid as a rock. Grant against his old club.5
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Unless Chalobah has had a miraculous recovery you'll need two changes, Bindon for Bell and someone for ChalobahNabySarr said:I’d be very nervous going with that midfield away to a good West Brom side. I think Carey will keep his place, he was poor in a game where we had 57% possession but this will be a very different game and we will need his work rate in midfield.I’d go with just one change with Bindon in for Bell. If we need to go for a goal then we can make the same Alli for Carey change as Saturday
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Fair point yes, 2 changes. I’d be more fine with Grant in the 10 with Chalobah behind him. But with Mwamba in the team for a first league start I think we should have Carey therefenaddick said:
Unless Chalobah has had a miraculous recovery you'll need two changes, Bindon for Bell and someone for ChalobahNabySarr said:I’d be very nervous going with that midfield away to a good West Brom side. I think Carey will keep his place, he was poor in a game where we had 57% possession but this will be a very different game and we will need his work rate in midfield.I’d go with just one change with Bindon in for Bell. If we need to go for a goal then we can make the same Alli for Carey change as Saturday
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West Brom look like a serious team this season. I can see NJ risking Bell again and giving Mesík a rest. Two changes for me too, Bindon for Mesík (Bell to LB) and Mwamba for Chalobah.1
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Sod it. We’re going for 7 then!ForeverAddickted said:
Was the same run of games... Went on to win six on the trot that October / NovemberStu_of_Kunming said:
When was the last time we did 6?ForeverAddickted said:Worth remembering we're back to the dreaded fourth game in our winning runLast time we achieved four wins back to back was October 20202 -
I think this is an interesting test for us as, not that I'm taking away from what we've done so far, you can argue we've had some good fortune in playing an injury hit Derby, an unsettled/unfinished West Ham and a Preston team in poor form.
Put in a decent performance and get a result at West Brom and I think we can start feeling a lot more confident in our evolution.
I'd take a point right now though.
2-2. Grant and Leaburn for us.3 -
Take a point all day long.5
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Definitely take a point out of this. 1-1 I think. Leaburn to score.0
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COYR1
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Think this will be our first defeat unfortunately. West Brom look strong this year and I’d expect them to be in the play off conversation, despite our great start I don’t think we will be.Like last season, when we’ve got a decent squad available I expect us to be competitive in every game and I’m sure we will make it difficult for them but I predict a narrow defeat ending our perfect start. If we can get a result then I will start to believe we are maybe capable of more of this season5
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Almost the proverbial fag paper between us on form but we go into the game on the back of a win and they go into on the back of a defeat. They obviously had the harder task on Saturday but we won at that ground not so long ago.0 -
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IMO Mbick is nowhere near close to starting a game.NabySarr said:
Stoke looks a much more winnable game. Wonder if we might see more changes tomorrow night, maybe Mbick in for Leaburn who might not be able to start all 3FishCostaFortune said:I’ll be chuffed if we manage to come away from this with a point.Looking a little ahead.
Stoke are at home tonight.
We are away tomorrow.
We are then playing away against Stoke Saturday at 12:30.
No wonder Jones rested players against Spurs.
Bench , yes. But can't believe Nathan has plans for him to feature more prominently especially against WBA tomorrow.10 -
A point here will be a great result. A win and I am ecstatic. UTA3
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I agree, he'd benefit from a league 1 loan until January. If anything happens to Leaburn we're bang in trouble at the moment.Fanny Fanackapan said:
IMO Mbick is nowhere near close to starting a game.NabySarr said:
Stoke looks a much more winnable game. Wonder if we might see more changes tomorrow night, maybe Mbick in for Leaburn who might not be able to start all 3FishCostaFortune said:I’ll be chuffed if we manage to come away from this with a point.Looking a little ahead.
Stoke are at home tonight.
We are away tomorrow.
We are then playing away against Stoke Saturday at 12:30.
No wonder Jones rested players against Spurs.
Bench , yes. But can't believe Nathan has plans for him to feature more prominently especially against WBA tomorrow.1 -
We've won 3 games against teams that haven't performed to the level you'd expect from their reputations. Narrow wins (WH missed penalty/ Lang miss at weekend). We are still struggling to create chances and score goals despite a more attacking lineup. I hope that the style of play continues but first wake call on Weds. At least we have 9 valuable points in the bag. Biggest plus point will be the chance of a breakaway goal using pace we now have.2
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They looked really good at the weekend and didnt deserve the final score line. Cant see anything but a loss but this is us and we tend to pull it out of the bag when least expect it lol
A point would be great !!!!2 -
Bump back down to earth. 2-0 defeat.2
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With the great start we have had a loss shouldn't be to disheartening. Think we lose this 1-0.1
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First of 2 defeats to nil. 3-0 here.1
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Boooswords_alive said:First of 2 defeats to nil. 3-0 here.0 -
9-0 to the Addickd
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