West Brom predicted XI to face Derby County: Val to make changes from 0-0 Barnsley draw

West Bromwich Albion get their Championship campaign back underway on Monday when they travel to Pride Park to take on Derby County.

The two played out a 0-0 draw earlier in the season in a game that Baggies boss Valerien Ismael claims his side should have won 4 or 5-0.

It’s an all too familiar tale for Albion this year. A lot of the ball, a barrel of chances but unable to find the net.

But with the Covid outbreak well under control according to Ismael - West Brom find themselves in a much healthier position than most at the moment and will be able to call on a near fully fit squad when they travel to Derbyshire.

After the boss awarded the players a rare Christmas Day off, he will want his generosity repaid with three points come mid-afternoon on Monday.

Goalkeeper

The transfer window isn’t open yet, so unless Covid gets him, Sam Johnstone’s place certainly won’t be in doubt.

Defence

The back 3/5 hasn’t differed too much and has been one factor that has remained relatively solid throughout the campaign.

Darnell Furlong and Conor Townsend have been excellent at wing-back and will keep their spots whilst the back three has no reason to be any different to the one that kept a clean-sheet at Barnsley.

Semi Ajayi will probably remain on the bench with Matthew Clarke, Kyle Bartley and Cedric Kipre retaining their starting place.

Midfield

Midfield has proven a tough puzzle to get right for Ismael who still doesn’t seem to know his best combination there. Jake Livermore has been hit and miss so I see him losing out once again with Jayson Molumby coming in in his place next to Alex Mowatt.

Attack

Jordan Hugill once again put in a less than inspiring performance against Barnsley last time out so it would be no surprise to see him drop to the bench.

This would allow Callum Robinson to lead the line in his more favoured position.

Grady Diangana is the man expected to take the place of Hugill and will make up a front three that sees Karlan Grant play on the opposite flank.

West Brom predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Johnstone; Clarke, Bartley, Kipre; Townsend, Mowatt, Molumby, Furlong; Grant, Diangana; Robinson

With the way of the current world, players can drop at any given moment so don’t take the line-up as gospel. However, regardless of the coronavirus situation - unless Ismael gets his man in January - the front line will probably stay interchangeable game by game until then.

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