Chris Brunt risks angry reaction from defender as ‘superb’ midfielder starts - West Brom predicted XI vs Swansea

West Brom are back in Championship action this weekend as they make the trip away to Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.

Fresh off the back of the New Year’s Day 3-1 victory over Preston North End, the Baggies will be full of confidence heading into this clash. That result was the first win for the joint interim management team of Chris Brunt and Damia Abella, so the pair will be keen to build momentum this January.

Albion are yet to appoint a new permanent head coach to replace Carlos Corberan following his departure on December 24 but there have been strong links to Swansea’s boss, Luke Williams. Although there have been no reputable reports suggesting talks are advanced, Williams remains the clear favourite to take the West Brom helm.

That certainly makes this Saturday’s clash at Swansea.com Stadium all the more interesting, especially as Williams has refused to rule out an exit. For now, though, the 44-year-old’s full focus is on helping the Swans, who are six points behind West Brom before this weekend.

Brunt, naming the team again in the absence of a new manager, could face some anger from Kyle Bartley if he starts the centre-back again as he’s looked knackered over recent matches. There’s little choice, however, as Brunt admitted: “I don't think I'm Kyle Bartley's favourite person at the minute to be totally honest!

"Look - it is what it is. He was magnificent against Sheffield United. He organises the defence, he controls the team. What can you do? You risk taking him off then you risk not playing him and losing a big leader and personality.”

With those comments in mind, it seems likely Bartley will play again. But who will the other ten starters be in South Wales? Here’s a run-through of the XI we reckon will be named.

West Brom predicted lineup vs Swansea

GK - Alex Palmer: The goalkeeper has been excellent so far this season, keeping clean sheets in 11 of the 25 Championship matches and conceding just 20 times.

RB - Darnell Furlong: One of Corberan’s star men and now transitioning into a new era, Furlong is one of the most reliable players in this Albion squad.

CB: Kyle Bartley: An experienced figure in the middle, Bartley is vital to this team. Brunt admitted Bartley’s been reacting badly to playing every minute but there’s not much choice.

CB - Torbjorn Heggem: Nobody has made more tackles for West Brom this term than Heggem, who has been arguably the signing of the campaign so far.

LB - Callum Styles: On the back of his first goal for the club, Styles should start again at left-back. Gianluca Frabotta will have to wait for his opportunity.

CM - Uros Racic: It’s a difficult call between Jayson Molumby and Racic, but we reckon the latter will play as rotation is needed in midfield during this busy period.

CM - Ousmane Diakite: The Malian was superb against Preston as he won the majority of his duels and set Albion away on many attacks.

RM - Jed Wallace: The skipper hasn’t been in good form of late but he could start this one as Tom Fellows looked jaded in the first half of the Preston win.

LM - Mikey Johnston: Full of confidence having scored two and assisted one in his last four matches, Johnston will want to continue his fine work.

CAM - Karlan Grant: We’re likely to see Grant keep his place in the number 10 role as he’s so often the danger man. What a resurgence the attacker has had.

ST - Josh Maja: The match winner with two goals last time out, Maja has finally ended his drought and will be eager to build momentum.