West Bromwich Albion return to The Hawthorns on Wednesday evening as they take on fellow playoff hopefuls Blackburn Rovers in the Sky Bet Championship. Carlos Corberan’s side will need to kick on and lick their wounds from a painful 2-0 defeat to local rivals Birmingham City last time out.
Two calamitous errors from goalkeeper David Button and an all-round disappointing display led to Birmingham completing a league double over the Baggies for the first time since 1999. Albion remain in good form with three wins in their previous five games, though, and they will be hopeful they can put last week’s performance behind them.
Blackburn, who were right near the top of the playoff places just a few games ago, have slumped down to eighth, above West Brom by a single point. Jon Dahl Tomasson’s men have won just one of their last five, drawing their last three. Rovers’ bizarre record of not sharing points seems to have caught up with them as these three draws are their first of the season.
Wednesday’s clash is nothing short of a six-pointer in the top six race, so Corberan will have to pick his starting 11 very carefully. With that in mind, here is the lineup we think the Spaniard will go with, in a 4-2-3-1 formation. See below.
1. GK: David Button
Made a couple of huge mistakes in the defeat to Birmingham last week but remains the Baggies’ best choice with Alex Palmer injured. | Getty Images
2. RB: Darnell Furlong
Has made the right-back spot his own and was one of the better players for Albion in the derby defeat. | Getty Images
3. CB: Dara O’Shea
One of three players to be absolutely everpresent in the entire Championship this campaign. He will undoubtedly continue that run. | Getty Images
4. CB: Erik Pieters
Even with Semi Ajayi back fit again, Pieters keeps his spot as he has formed a good bond with O’Shea in central defence. | Getty Images