West Brom predicted XI vs Plymouth Argyle - as Carlos Corberan takes approach that no other EFL manager has
West Bromwich Albion return to The Hawthorns as they take on Plymouth Argyle in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
The Baggies, top of the league standings following a comfortable 3-0 win away at Portsmouth, are buoyant with confidence ahead of this weekend’s clash on home soil.
West Brom have won four of their five outings so far, picking up 13 points out of an available 15. Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United are the only other teams in the division yet to lose this campaign.
Plymouth, meanwhile, have had a mixed start to the season under new manager Wayne Rooney. Argyle were without a win in their opening four games but stunned Sunderland last time out, ending the Black Cats’ unbeaten streak with a stunning 3-2 win at Home Park.
Albion will be keen to bring Plymouth straight back down to earth this weekend, roared on by a packed crowd at The Hawthorns. And considering everything has gone so well so far this term, there might not be any need for any adjustments to the lineup whatsoever.
Carlos Corberan remains the only manager in the EFL yet to make a change to a starting XI in league fixtures, with the same team named for all five Championship fixtures to date. As they say, don’t fix what isn’t broken.
West Brom predicted XI vs Plymouth Argyle
GK - Alex Palmer
Palmer, last season’s Championship Golden Glove winner, has three clean sheets so far this term. He’ll be keen to make that four this weekend.
RB - Darnell Furlong
Furlong has started the new campaign excellently, carrying on his superb form. Nobody is claiming his place at right-back anytime soon.
CB - Semi Ajayi
The Nigerian has made a great start to 2024/25. Mason Holgate will be knocking on the door but it’s Ajayi’s place to lose.
CB - Kyle Bartley
Bartley, who donned the captain’s armband in Jed Wallace’s absence, provides leadership and experience at the heart of defence.
LB - Torbjorn Heggem
New signing Heggem is locked in. He could eventually move in-field when Gianluca Frabotta settles in but stays at left-back for now.
CM - Jayson Molumby
Molumby will be looking over his shoulder at Uros Racic but should keep his spot in the lineup for the foreseeable future.
CM - Alex Mowatt
Mowatt will play most of the minutes available to him this campaign, without a doubt. Corberan is a big fan of the midfielder in the number eight role.
RW - Tom Fellows
Fellows, now firmly in the fold for England Under-21s, has four assists in five league appearances so far. Corberan will want more of the same.
LW - Karlan Grant
Grant has made a remarkable resurgence this season and deserves to keep on playing. Most Albion fans can’t quite believe what they’re seeing but it’s promising.
CAM - John Swift
Swift should stay in the XI ahead of Wallace, many would suggest. His set pieces are a big plus and he’s been one of the best playmakers in the entire division.
ST - Josh Maja
Maja has started the new campaign in outstanding fashion, netting five goals in as many games. He’s effectively a guaranteed starter when fit.