Carlton Palmer makes promising West Brom play-off prediction ahead of 2024/25 | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has given his prediction for West Brom's promotion chances next season

Carlton Palmer believes West Brom have what it takes to be in the mix for a play-off place again next season.

The Baggies finished fifth in the Championship last year, missing out on promotion to the Premier League with a semi-final loss to Southampton in the post-season.

Albion will be aiming to compete for a return to the top flight in 2025, having been out of the first division since 2021.

Carlos Corberan has earned a lot of plaudits for his work at the Hawthorns, and has the team competing despite financial constraints.

However, those constraints should no longer be an issue following the January takeover of the club by the Patel family, with Shilen Patel now installed as chairman.

Palmer predicts West Brom’s play-off chances

Palmer has predicted that West Brom will be there or thereabouts in the battle for a top six finish next year.

However, he has highlighted the issues that need to be resolved in the transfer window first before they can think about pushing for promotion.

“Big question this, can West Brom secure a play-off place again next season, we’ll have to see what happens,” Palmer told Football League World.

“The season has ended, and nine players whose contracts were going to expire at the end of June, Matt Phillips, Alex Mowatt, Nathaniel Chalobah, Yann M’Vila, Adam Reach and defenders Cedric Kipre, Eric Pieters, Ethan Ingram and Pipa.

“So there’s a lot of work to do in terms of the number of players that are going to be out of contract, and the things that they need to do to bring in players to get them in the position that they could challenge for a play-off place next season.

“Always the clubs that come down are going to be in a strong position.

“The takeover’s been guaranteed, the new chairman that’s taken over the football club has invested in the training ground, which I know Carlos Corberan has been very happy about.

“He’s been very vocal that that was one of the things that needed to be put in place.

“He’s happy to do that.

“Now it’s about investing in the squad, keeping the players that are good enough under his wing and bringing in new players and being able to bring in those players.”

Palmer predicts West Brom’s promotion rivals

Palmer believes that the likes of Coventry City and Middlesbrough will be among the clubs in the mix again this year, after they narrowly missed out on a top six finish in 2024.

“So, can West Brom secure a play-off spot next season? I think they can, I think they’re going to be there or thereabouts," he added.

“But, as I say, it’s going to be difficult.

“The likes of Coventry have missed out, Mark Robins doesn’t have to rebuild again this season, he’s lost one senior player, that’s all, whereas last season he lost Palmer, Hamer and Gyokeres.

“So, Coventry are going to be strong again, so it’s going to be a stronger league again next season.

“Obviously the three teams that came down, Leeds missed out, you’d expect Middlesbrough to come again, so it’s going to be tough.

“But I expect West Brom to be there or thereabouts.”

Important summer for West Brom

West Brom’s new owners need to back Corberan in the transfer market, as it could be key to keeping the Spanish coach at the club.

If Albion narrowly miss out on promotion again next year, then it is very easy to see the 41-year-old departing given the speculation that’s surrounded his future this year.

Given the number of departures they’ve had, money needs to be spent on improving the squad so that they can compete against the likes of Leeds and Middlesbrough.

Other clubs are already making a proactive start to the transfer market, like Boro and Coventry, which should be a warning sign for the Baggies.