West Bromwich Albion host Wigan Athletic at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon as both sides start their campaigns in this season’s FA Cup.
The two sides will be familiar with each other having played at The Hawthorns on Boxing Day. That ended up with a 2-0 victory to the Baggies, although Wigan did beat them 1-0 earlier in the season.
Both sides will look to make several changes for this match with them needing to focus on the league for different reasons. Albion are going for promotion while Wigan after a bad run of form are looking to avoid dropping down into League one.
Here’s how we expect the Baggies to lineup for this weekend’s game. Expect a host of changes with some enforced. Both Dwight Gayle and Ahmed Hegazi are still battling injuries, while midfielder Jake Livermore serves the first game of his four-match suspension picked up last weekend against Blackburn.
GK - Boaz Myhill
Myhill appears to be the cup goalkeeper this season.
RB - Mason Holgate
Expect Holgate to make his debut in this game.
CB - Jack Fitzwater
The CB was recalled from Walsall just for this game before returning there after this match.
CB - Kyle Bartley
As Bartley recovers from injury this is a good game for him to get minutes.
LB - Conor Townsend
Kieran Gibbs needs a rest and this is a chance for Townsend to impress.
CM - Chris Brunt
The Albion legend edges closer to 400 appearances for the club.
CM - Rekeem Harper
Harper has played a lot of minutes in the cup competitions and has impressed.
CM - Wes Hoolahan
This could be a chance for Wes to earn an extension on his contract that expires this month.
RW - Oliver Burke
This is the definition of a “transfer shop window” for Burke who looks to seal a loan move this window.
ST - Hal Robson-Kanu
With Gayle still injured and Rodriguez needing a rest, it’s the perfect chance for HRK.
LW - Bakary Sako
Sako didn’t impress last time out at home against Sheffield Wednesday so will be looking to change that.