Barnsley got demolished by QPR, mostly because of the rookies in defense, while West Brom surprisingly lost at home to underdogs Crystal Palace. Still, Barnsley are on the rise as they restructured the team, while the first defeat for WBA this season might have a negative effect on their play. Another surprise?

League leaders who have just recorded a magnificent away win over Middlesborough will turn back to the league, after losing to Arsenal in Carling Cup. Can the kindergarten from London Selhurst Park make another surprise away? Even though WBA showed most quality so far in the Championship, this game seems uncertain…

Both sides enter the match after the impressive wins at the weekend and this should guarantee us a thoroughly exciting game at the Emirates. We are all waiting to see the fresh bunch of Arsenal youngsters, whereas WBA are definitely not without chances in this match.

Is West Brom going to record another easy home win or maybe Doncaster have the power to surprise them? We are yet to see, but we will definitely see a clash between highly technical sides.

Even though Plymouth were unlucky to lose their last away game at Pride Park, having conceded very late goal, they still showed a very poor performance and it is more than evident they will be fighting for survival this season. They simply have nothing to hope for against West Brom considering the Baggies are doing really well at the start of the season.

This is definitely the real derby of the round; the clash of two ambitious teams that rightfully aim at the highest place this season. Both teams are in good form but with dominant defense and well-composed squads. It is only logical to expect a tough fight, but without many chances, as both sides will protect their net..

WBA are in pretty good form for the start of the season, which can’t be said for another contender for a high position, Ipswich Town that are in big problems. It seems that Roy Keane is still training the team and testing the players, that is to say, doing what he should have done this summer. The Baggies’ attack is pretty good, defense is tough , so manager Roberto Di Matero is doing a good job so far…

Ambitious Forest are up against the ex-Premiership team that are trying their bets to handler the transition period. Both teams are in good form, especially when it comes to defense and discipline, so another derby of the round guarantees tough fight and a low-scoring game.

The match that is supposed to be the derby of the opening round will be shadowed by the very bad situation in Newcastle squad. Neither the players nor the manager are afraid any longer to say that the future of the team is uncertain. Even though WBA didn’t show best form in friendlies and their team is not stronger than last year, they are clearly hot favourites in this match.

Blackburn have already ensured survival and they will not be too downhearted by the defeat at Stamford Bridge. West Bromwich, on the other hand, missed the last chance to boost their survival hopes and they will get relegated regardless of the outcome of this match.