Corberan experiments again as key man benched - West Brom predicted XI gallery v Cardiff City
Here’s how we predict West Bromwich Albion to line up against Cardiff City in the Championship on Wednesday night.
West Bromwich Albion are back in Championship action on Wednesday evening as they take on relegation battlers Cardiff City away from home. Having lost all of their last four fixtures on the road, The Baggies have slipped away from the playoff spots somewhat and head coach Carlos Corberan will be desperate to put things right.
It has been a highly unusual couple of months for Albion as the home form has been completely incomparable to the away. West Brom have been nothing short of sensational at The Hawthorns, with 10 wins in the last 11 matches played in B71. Rather remarkably, just one goal has been conceded in that period stretching back to November 1.
This match midweek is away from familiar surroundings, however, and Cardiff have shown plenty of improvement over recent weeks. The Bluebirds started the season well but had a huge slump from the start of November until mid-February with no wins whatsoever. Since their 2-0 away win at Birmingham City, though, they have won another two games.
It looked as if Cardiff could well be relegated to League One, but nine points out of their last 15 available has given Sabri Lamouchi’s side a huge boost. This upturn in momentum could worry The Baggies, especially with every game seen as a must-win if the Championship play-off dreams are to be kept alive.
Here is the starting XI we think Corberan will go with to give West Brom the best chance of a victory, with some experimentation taking place in a forward position. See below.
This match midweek is away from familiar surroundings, however, and Cardiff have shown plenty of improvement over recent weeks. The Bluebirds started the season well but had a huge slump from the start of November until mid-February with no wins whatsoever. Since their 2-0 away win at Birmingham City, though, they have won another two games.
9. CAM: John Swift
Scored from the spot at the weekend and is proving to be one of the biggest threats week in, week out.
10. RW: Jed Wallace
Played centrally in the first half vs Huddersfield but we think he is better suited to playing out on the right flank, taking on defenders.
11. LW: Adam Reach
Corberan’s inclusion of Reach in the starting XI last time out surprised just about everybody, but his experiment worked well. We think Reach did enough to keep the trial going, with a place in the XI ahead of Marc Albrighton.
12. ST: Daryl Dike
Although the return of Brandon Thomas-Asante is imminent, we think three goals in his last four starts has earned Dike his place. Could soon change in future weeks, though.