West Brom predicted XI: Everton (A)
- •
- 854 reads
- •
- 4,220 views
- •
- 5 min read
West Brom travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton in their first away game of the Premier League season.
The Baggies will be looking to bounce back after the opening day defeat to Leicester, which leaves them sat at the bottom of the table.
Albion boss Slaven Bilic looks to remain optimistic as his newly-promoted side look to adapt to top-flight football and will be looking to take points against Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who started well with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
The Baggies boss gave us a surprise with a five at the back formation, which worked well for 50 minutes on the opening day, and he looks set to persevere with that system as he aims to limit The Toffees to very few chances in this game.
For team news, Ahmed Hegazi looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury that he picked up this week. New signing Conor Gallagher is set to make the bench after arriving from Chelsea on a season-long loan but Branislav Ivanovic won’t be available this weekend, with him needing another week of training first.
Here’s how we think WBA will line up:
GK: Sam Johnstone
Johnstone will surely be being pushed further this year for the number one shirt after a confident display by David Button against Harrogate. Should keep his place this week though, but will be under threat in the near future.
RWB: Darnell Furlong
Furlong was one of the better players during the opening day defeat, adding some energy and attacking threat down the right-hand side. Should keep his place in the five at the back system.
CB: Dara O'Shea
Completed the full game in midweek against Harrogate and put in another composed and mature performance. Should be part of the central defence once again.
CB: Semi Ajayi
Ajayi was an unused substitute in midweek for the cup which suggests he will start on Saturday. Hopefully, he can keep the defence switched on for the whole 90 minutes.
CB: Kyle Bartley
Bartley was poor in conceding a needless penalty last week and should be dropped as a result of that. However, with the likes of Hegazi and Ivanovic not available, he is set to keep his place.
LWB: Kieran Gibbs
Gibbs was not in the squad for the cup game to preserve his fitness for the Premier League games. Should come back into the side at wing-back.
CM: Jake Livermore (C)
Livermore had to sit in a deeper role last week against Leicester which really didn’t suit him. As the club captain, he is set to start once again and provide the physicality which will be needed if Albion are to pick something up in this game.
CM: Romaine Sawyers
Sawyers had a harsh wake-up call last week with him being a passenger for most of the game. His position is now under threat with the addition of Gallagher as that will allow Livermore to play more in an attacking position. Has to put in a performance with competition there.
RW: Matheus Pereira
Pereira was very quiet against Leicester and needs to be more active on the ball if the Baggies are to pick up points. Should start again though, with the Brazilian being one of Albion’s main sources to create chances.
LW: Grady Diangana
Diangana was the main man creating the chances when Albion had their bright start against Leicester. Will hopefully give the Baggies that spark for more of the game this time and along with Pereira, he will be hoping to feed the striker chances. Set to start.
ST: Callum Robinson
Was an isolated figure last week against Leicester but could pick up confidence with a second-half goal against Harrogate in the cup. Set to lead the line again.
Here's more you might like
Whenever Ibrox laughs at Celtic, Celtic always has the last laugh, we might just be in hysterics on the 14th of December
Wolff downplays Mercedes’ chances of beating Red Bull before 2026
Vasseur urges Ferrari to be ‘more efficient’ in 2024
Celtic’s board of comedians have another laugh at our expense. We are now becoming the laughing stock of Europe
What does tonight hold in store for Celtic? Another humiliation, or a turning point in Champions League performances?
