West Bromwich Albion take on their penultimate home match of the Championship season on Sunday at noon as they face Sunderland at The Hawthorns. It’s a huge clash in the play-off race with both teams within just one or two points of the top six as it stands.
By the time the game kicks off, there will be far more knowledge of the chances of gaining qualification as most of the others in the fight will have already played on Saturday. Regardless, for the Baggies and the Black Cats it’s all about doing their own jobs to have the best chance.
Carlos Corberan’s men head into the game in much-improved form, with two successive league wins. The latest of these was a 2-0 success away at Blackpool, with the one before a closer 2-1 at Stoke City. Sunderland, meanwhile, drew 1-1 with Huddersfield Town in their last outing.
Albion have been dealt yet another injury blow ahead of the game with Nathaniel Chalobah now set to miss out. The midfielder joins Dara O’Shea and up to seven more West Brom players on the sidelines. Sunderland also have plenty of issues, though, with nine missing out.
Corberan will no doubt field as strong a team as he can to give the Baggies the best shot at a win on Sunday. With that mentality - as well as the injuries - in mind, here is the XI we think West Brom will go with.
1. West Bromwich Albion predicted starting lineup vs Sunderland
Here are the 11 players we think Corberan will go with on Sunday.
2. GK - Alex Palmer
Has taken the goalkeeping spot back away from Josh Griffiths and will no doubt stay in the team after a clean sheet.
3. RB - Darnell Furlong
Been a mainstay at right-back under the new manager and continues to be so following a defensive shutout.
4. CB - Semi Ajayi
Had a wobbly return to the team a few weeks back but has picked himself up and looked decent enough for a starting spot. Not that there’s much choice.