Bournemouth vs West Brom Odds & Prediction – EFL Championship Matchday 1 August 6

• Two of the division’s strongest teams kick off the season at 2:45 pm ET on Friday
• Bournemouth lost in the Promotion Playoff last season while WBA was relegated from the EPL
• See all odds and best bets for Bournemouth vs West Brom in the EFL Championship on August 6

Bournemouth hosts the newly-relegated West Bromwich Albion as England’s EFL Championship kicks off the new season on Friday.

Both teams have new coaches. Scott Parker has taken over at Bournemouth after quitting Fulham following their tumble out of the Premier League.

Meanwhile, WBA has appointed the French former Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael.

Bournemouth vs West Brom Odds

Odds as of August 6 at DraftKings

Last season was Bournemouth’s first back in the Championship after five years previously spent in the EPL.

It finished sixth and was then subsequently eliminated in the playoff semifinal by eventual winner Brentford.

Allardyce Failed to Save WBA

Furthermore, WBA finished 19th in the EPL even though it drafted in a specialist relegation battles “Fireman” Sam Allardyce to try to save it from the drop.

Now both clubs are rated among the leading contenders for a return to the EPL.

With DraftKings, second-favorite WBA is priced at +650 to win the Championship title. Bournemouth, moreover, is the fourth favorite at +900.

Friday’s match at the Vitality Stadium kicks off at 2:45 pm ET. It is the curtain-raiser for the start of the EFL campaign which gets into full swing on Saturday.

League football is 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤.

Let the games begin…#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/79sILSZXs0

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) August 6, 2021

The oddsmakers at DraftKings predict a winning start for Bournemouth at +135.

For WBA, meanwhile, the price is +210. However, the draw at looks the most attractive offer at +240.

Parker replaced Jonathan Woodgate as Bournemouth boss after the team’s failure to reach the Wembley Playoff final.

In Parker’s first season in charge at Fulham, it was promoted to the Premier League via the Playoffs in 2020.

However, it was instantly relegated after finishing 18th in the EPL.

Bournemouth’s significant summer signing has been Emiliano Marcondes on a free from Brentford.

Bournemouth snapped him up Parker on his reputation as one of the brightest young managers in the English game.

The club’s only significant summer signing has been the capture of the highly-rated Danish/Brazilian attacking midfielder Emiliano Marcondes. He was available on a free transfer from Brentford.

▪️ West Brom preview
▪️ Latest on injuries
▪️ Starting strongly

Scott Parker spoke with the media ahead of today's opener at Vitality Stadium 🎤#afcb 🍒

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 6, 2021

But the squad is rated among the strongest in the division.

In particular, winger David Brooks and former Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke are seen as stand-out talents.

The major departure, furthermore, has been the $4 million transfer of forward Sam Surridge to Stoke City.

Bournemouth vs West Brom Statistics

*Statistics based on last five regular-season games – Bournemouth EFL Championship; WBA Premier League

Parker’s team has already been in competitive action this season.

In the EFL Cup First Round last Saturday, it hammered MK Dons 5-0.

Brooks scored twice with Solanke also on the scoresheet. Further goals came from Phillip Billing and Christian Saydee.

In its pre-season friendlies, Bournemouth won 4-2 against small Spanish club Linense. But it lost 2-1 against La Liga outfit Granada.

Then subsequently came a 2-1 defeat at home against Chelsea.

New WBA Boss Ismael Impressed at Barnsley

New WBA boss Ismael was recruited after he led small-town club Barnsley to fifth place in the Championship last season.

It was eventually eliminated in the Playoff Semifinal against Swansea City.

He is charged with re-energizing a team that won just five games in the EPL last season.

A hat-trick of contract extensions! 🎩@DarnellFurlong has agreed a deal which keeps him with us until the summer of 2025 ✍️

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 5, 2021

Ismael’s two most significant signings have arrived on free transfers.

Left-sided midfielder Adam Reach came from Sheffield Wednesday. Alex Mowatt, meanwhile, was also recruited into Albion’s midfield from Barnsley/

There has, moreover, been the loan signing of defender Matt Clarke from EPL side Brighton.

There was a 0-0 draw the last time Bournemouth and WBA met in a friendly in July, 2019.

Last season’s leading goal scorer Matheus Pereira is, meanwhile, set to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.

Ismael’s team has played four pre-season friendlies.

A 1-0 defeat of non-league Woking was secondly followed by a 2-0 defeat of Sheffield Wednesday.

There was thirdly a 0-0 draw at EPL club Watford. Significantly, the best performance came in in the final warm-up game – a 4-0 hammering of Birmingham City.

Albion and Bournemouth kick off the new EFL season tonight. Life outside the Premier League is always fascinating.
The EFL writers from @TheAthleticUK have looked ahead to the new campaign. #WBA https://t.co/mRKZxVA1Ec

— Steve Madeley (@SteveMadeley78) August 6, 2021

Bournemouth will be without the suspended pair Chris Mepham and Jefferson Lerma on Friday while Steve Cook and Jack Stacey are injured.

New signing Reach will not feature for WBA as he builds up match fitness.

There was a 0-0 draw the last time Bournemouth and WBA met in a friendly in July 2019.

Looking forward to playing a ‘massive’ part down at Bournemouth, Baggies? 🙌@valerien_ismael on how important our supporters will be this season 💬

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 6, 2021

In addition, the most recent competitive meeting in the EPL in March 2018 produced a 2-1 home win for Bournemouth.

In conclusion, then, both new managers will be keen for a good start to the league campaign on Friday.

And with two of the strongest squads in the division in action, a draw looks the most likely outcome.

Pick: Draw +240