Preview: West Bromwich Albion Under-21s vs. Norwich City Under-21s - prediction, team news, lineups

The home team will enter the contest off the back of a 5-2 win over Newcastle United Under-21s, while Norwich played out a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough Under-21s last time out.

Match preview

West Brom recorded their eighth league victory of the season on March 6, running out 5-2 winners away to Newcastle, with Akeel Higgins and Reyes Cleary both scoring braces in the success.

The score was 3-2 at the half-time break, but Richard Beale's side netted two unanswered goals in the second period to move onto 27 points from 15 league fixtures this term.

West Brom actually have two games in hand on Aston Villa Under-21s directly above them, while they are level on points with fourth-placed Norwich and also have a match spare on Monday night's opponents.

The Baggies have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, winning just two of their last five league matches, but they have lost only one of their last four, beating Middlesbrough Under-21s and drawing with Nottingham Under-21s since a heavy 4-0 loss to Aston Villa at the end of January.

Norwich, meanwhile, have not actually been in league action since a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough on February 24, with the hosts conceding a late equaliser in Norfolk.

An own goal from Luke Woolston in the 86th minute looked to be securing all three points for Norwich, but George Gitau netted in the third minute of added time at the end of the 90 to make it 2-2.

The result moved Alan Neilson's side onto 27 points with a record of seven wins, six draws and three defeats, which has left them in fourth position in the table.

As mentioned, Norwich are level on points with West Brom heading into this match, but they have played a game more than their opponents on Monday night.

The Canaries have also only lost once in the league since the start of November, which was a 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest in the middle of last month.

West Bromwich Albion Under-21s Premier League 2 - Div 2 form:

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Norwich City Under-21s Premier League 2 - Div 2 form:

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Team News

West Brom boss Beale will need to assess the fitness of his players before making a final decision on his side, but it would not be a shock to see the same XI that featured against Newcastle earlier this month.

Higgins and Cleary both netted braces in the impressive win, and the pair should again feature in the final third of the field, with Rico Richard, who also registered last time out, leading the line.

However, Alex Williams will be pushing to come into the team at the back.

As for Norwich, Jonathan Lowe will again lead the line, with the forward on the scoresheet against Middlesbrough last time out in Premier League 2 - Division 2.

Head coach Neilson will have the likes of Alex Matos and Marcel McIntosh in his thinking for starting roles, but the pair could ultimately be named on the bench once again.

Kenneth Aboh has made eight appearances at Under-21 level this term, and the 18-year-old is also expected to be in the starting XI for Monday night's fixture.

West Bromwich Albion Under-21s possible starting lineup:

Hollingshead; Ingram, Nguepissi, Haper-Bailey, Humphries; Richards, Andrews; Higgins, Whitwell, Cleary; Richards

Norwich City Under-21s possible starting lineup:

McCracken; Riley, Hills, Warner, McCallum; Duffy, Watt, Brooke; Welch, Aboh, Rowe

We say: West Bromwich Albion Under-21s 1-1 Norwich City Under-21s

There is not an awful lot between these two sides in terms of quality, with both boasting 27 points at this stage of the season, and we are expecting it to be a close match on Monday evening.

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