West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City rekindle their Premier League rivalry this weekend, but it is in the realms of the Championship where they do battle. 

Gary Rowett’s side have struggled to adapt to life back to the second-tier after a ten-year absence, mustering just the one win in their opening five games.

They face the Baggies on the back of a 2-0 home win over Hull City before a League Cup triumph over top-flight opposition in Huddersfield Town in midweek.

Former West Brom striker Saido Berahino got his first goal in 913 days as the Potters look to add to that positive this weekend at the Hawthorns.

Darren Moore’s side, meanwhile, have had a solid start collecting seven points from a possible 15 and will want to get back to winning ways after a last-minute defeat to Middlesbrough last time out.

With that said, Sky Sports’ David Prutton did his best to predict the result of the match between the two sides: “West Brom will have been so disappointed to lose the way they did at Middlesbrough last week, battling for so long before conceding from a late set-piece.

“Stoke, meanwhile, have had a great week in league and cup to ease some of the pressure on Gary Rowett, and even Saido Berahino got on the scoresheet on Tuesday night! 

“That being said, I think West Brom's attacking firepower will see them through at The Hawthorns. 2-0.”

The Verdict

On paper, this looks like a hard match to call between the two sides. 

If you look at the teams, they are relatively evenly matched after both were relegated from the Premier League last year.

But on current form, and how the season has started one side looks more adept at playing at this level than the other.

Early season form shouldn’t be too much of a concern as over different amounts of time, teams find their feet and put a run together.

But this one looks like there should only be one clear winner. Stoke to score first but fall to a 2-1 defeat.