Surprise starter in defence as injury call made for Grady Diangana - West Brom predicted XI vs Bristol City
Predicting Carlos Corberan’s West Bromwich Albion lineup to face Bristol City in the Championship.
West Brom play host to Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday afternoon, eager to return to winning ways following last weekend’s disappointing 2-1 defeat away at Watford.
The Hawthorns awaits expectantly for the last match before Christmas and an opportunity dawns for the Baggies to soar back up into the Championship top six. Results elsewhere of course have to go Albion’s way but with two points the current gap, there’s potential Carlos Corberan’s men can return to the play-off spots.
At least one change will be enforced this weekend as Callum Styles picked up a hamstring injury away at Vicarage Road last time out. Corberan could perhaps respond by introducing a surprise starter in defence as a result, while there could be rotation in attack due to Josh Maja’s dwindling fitness.
With those dilemmas in mind, here’s the Albion XI we think will face the Robins.
West Brom predicted lineup vs Bristol City
GK - Alex Palmer: The goalkeeper has started the new season strongly, keeping clean sheets in 10 of the 21 Championship matches so far.
RB - Darnell Furlong: One of the first names on the team sheet, Sunderland away in November was Furlong’s only ever game missed under Corberan.
CB - Mason Holgate: The Everton loanee had a poor game at Watford but Albion aren’t blessed with much depth in defence.
CB: Torbjorn Heggem: The Norwegian has been very consistent so far this season. Kyle Bartley, meanwhile, needs to have his minutes managed.
LB - Gianluca Frabotta: A surprise starter perhaps as he’s not featured regularly but Corberan has hinted at more involvement, especially with Callum Styles injured.
CM - Jayson Molumby: It’s a difficult call between Uros Racic and Molumby, but we reckon the latter will play as Racic is struggling in his current role.
CM - Alex Mowatt: Rested with a benching last time out, Mowatt should be ready to come back in with fresher legs and start as Corberan’s preferred midfielder.
RM - Tom Fellows: The England Under-21 international is without doubt one of the Baggies’ most dangerous players. He causes defenders nightmares.
LM - Grady Diangana: Corberan has suggested Diangana is ready after a ‘strong week’ in training. The winger has been struggling with a calf issue lately.
CAM - John Swift: We could see Swift head into the XI as a number 10 as Josh Maja has looked jaded in the last three matches and needs a rest.
ST - Karlan Grant: On the back of a brilliant solo goal in the last home clash, Grant is full of confidence and is profiting from playing centrally rather than out wide.