West Bromwich Albion return to home soil this Sunday as they play host to Championship strugglers Stoke City at The Hawthorns. Carlos Corberan’s side got back to winning ways at Rotherham United on Tuesday night and now there’s a chance to build further momentum.
Defeats to Leicester City and Sunderland struck the Baggies’ confidence somewhat but the three points midweek have lifted them two points clear of seventh-placed Hull City. This season’s play-off fight is shaping up to be one of the most competitive ever, so every game is becoming a must-win for Albion.
Stoke are in poor form, to say the least, as they’re well down in 19th place and have failed to win any of their last seven fixtures. Manager Alex Neil was sacked after a spell of pressure and is yet to be replaced, with Paul Gallagher stepping in for the Potters in the interim.
Corberan and his men will be eager to take advantage of Stoke’s low morale to earn another vital three points. Here are the 11 players we think will start to give West Brom the best chance of doing just that.
1. GK - Alex Palmer
Recovered from two tough games against Leicester and Sunderland by keeping a shutout at Rotherham.
2. RB - Darnell Furlong
Furlong is in superb form and looking far more assured defensively. He’s also been posing a threat up the right flank.
3. CB - Kyle Bartley
Bartley has seemingly locked down the second central defensive position ahead of Semi Ajayi.
4. CB - Cedric Kipre
After yet nother superb display on Tuesday that helped Albion to a hard-fought clean sheet, Kipre will be raring to go again.