West Brom vs Birmingham Match Recap - Nov 26, 2025

West Brom and Birmingham Share the Spoils in a Battle of Mid-Table Mediocrity

Birmingham's inability to capitalize on their recent offensive form cost them dearly against West Brom, as they settled for a 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns. Despite dominating possession with 59% and completing 229 passes compared to West Brom's 161, Birmingham struggled to convert their control into clear-cut chances. The match highlighted a familiar pattern for Birmingham: while they can dictate play, their finishing remains inconsistent.

Alex Mowatt opened the scoring for West Brom early in the match, marking his first goal since October. His strike came against the backdrop of a team that has been searching for consistency after a tumultuous stretch. West Brom's recent form has been a rollercoaster, with only one win in their last five matches. This draw, while not a loss, does little to alleviate the pressure on manager Ryan Mason, who is still grappling with a squad that has shown flashes of potential but often falls short in execution.

Birmingham's Marvin Ducksch, who scored the equalizer in the 78th minute, continues to be a beacon of hope for his team. After netting twice in their previous match against Norwich, Ducksch's ability to find the back of the net again reinforces his status as a key player. His performance today was crucial in salvaging a point, but it also underscores Birmingham's reliance on individual brilliance rather than cohesive team play.

West Brom's defensive frailties were evident once again, as they allowed Birmingham to dominate the midfield. The home side managed only three shots on target compared to Birmingham's one, yet they still managed to secure a point thanks to their early goal and a solid defensive effort in the latter stages. This reflects a troubling trend for West Brom, who have struggled to maintain leads and often find themselves under siege when opponents ramp up their attacking efforts.

The match statistics reveal a stark contrast between the two teams' recent performances. Birmingham had averaged over 2 expected goals (xG) in their last five matches, showcasing their attacking prowess. Yet today, they could only muster an xG of 0.09, indicating a significant drop-off in effectiveness. This inconsistency raises questions about their ability to perform under pressure, especially against teams that are defensively organized like West Brom.

West Brom's tactical setup allowed them to absorb pressure and hit Birmingham on the counter. Their formation provided stability, but it also highlighted their lack of creativity in midfield. With only 75% pass accuracy, they struggled to build meaningful attacks, relying heavily on set pieces and long balls. The absence of a creative spark from players like Karlan Grant was palpable; he failed to make an impact and was largely anonymous throughout the match.

Birmingham's midfield duo of Seung-Ho Paik and Tommy Doyle had been instrumental in their recent success, but today they were unable to unlock West Brom's defense effectively. Despite dominating possession, they lacked the incisive passing needed to break through. Their combined pass accuracy of 80% is commendable, yet it did not translate into meaningful chances, highlighting a disconnect between possession and productivity.

The draw leaves both teams with 21 points, maintaining their mid-table positions in the Championship standings. For Birmingham, this result feels like a missed opportunity to gain ground on the playoff spots. They have shown they can score freely against weaker opposition but need to find consistency against teams like West Brom if they hope to challenge for promotion.

West Brom will take some solace from this result, having avoided defeat after a string of disappointing performances. However, they must address their scoring woes if they are to climb out of the lower half of the table. With only six wins from fifteen matches, the pressure will mount on Mason to find solutions quickly.

Looking ahead, both teams face crucial fixtures that could define their seasons. West Brom will host Swansea next, while Birmingham will take on Watford. These matches present opportunities for both sides to build momentum and rectify their recent inconsistencies. For Birmingham, finding a way to convert possession into goals will be paramount; for West Brom, maintaining defensive solidity while improving their attacking output will be key.

In summary, today's match encapsulated the struggles both teams face as they navigate a challenging Championship season. While Birmingham's attacking potential remains tantalizingly close to realization, West Brom must find ways to harness their defensive strengths into more consistent performances moving forward.