West Brom predicted XI: Chelsea (H)
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West Brom will take on Chelsea at The Hawthorns on Saturday evening aiming to pick up their first points of the Premier League campaign.
Albion lost their opening two games of the league season, and it doesn’t get any easier for Slaven Bilic’s men, who take on the Blues who are coming off a loss at home to Liverpool.
The Baggies have already conceded eight goals so far this season using the 3-4-3 formation, but Bilic looks set to continue with the system as he still lacks the reinforcements required to use a similar set-up to last season.
In terms of team news, Kieran Gibbs serves the second match of his suspension after the red card at Everton whilst Conor Gallagher cannot play against his parent club. Branislav Ivanovic is touch and go to feature on Saturday whilst Ahmed Hegazi faces a late fitness test. Kenneth Zohore is still ruled out with a calf injury.
Here’s how we think WBA will lineup:
GK: Sam Johnstone
Started both of the league games so far this season and was rested for the cup match. Set to return between the sticks.
RWB: Darnell Furlong
Furlong had a very poor game against Everton and will be looking to put it right on Saturday if given the opportunity.
CB: Dara O'Shea
O’Shea was part of the defence that collapsed against Everton late on. Set to start again though having played both league games so far this season.
CB: Semi Ajayi
Ajayi is another one who will be aiming to be more solid in the back-line. However, he is a key defender for Albion regardless so he should start again.
CB: Kyle Bartley
Bartley has come under scrutiny for his past couple of performances and rightly so. However, with Ivanovic and Hegazi struggling to not be back in time for Saturday, Bartley is set to be reinstated.
LWB: Conor Townsend
With Gibbs suspended, Townsend is set to come in and fill the wing back role. Got minutes under his belt in midweek which is a positive.
CM: Jake Livermore (C)
The captain was unfortunate to not double Albion’s lead at Everton last week as he saw his effort crash off the post. Will again look to add the energy and guile needed in midfield to snuff out Chelsea’s high quality attacking players.
CM: Romaine Sawyers
Sawyers put in a better performance last week at Everton but for periods in the first two games, he has become overrun in midfield, which he needs to eradicate if he wants to keep his spot. Set to start in midfield though, with Gallagher absent.
RW: Matheus Pereira
Pereira scored a sublime free kick at Everton last week that gave Albion some hope in the game. The Baggies will be hoping for a bit more magic from him if they are to pick up something out of this game.
LW: Grady Diangana
Diangana along with Pereira were Albion’s best two players on the pitch at Everton. Almost a guarantee to start, with his quality being needed to unpick the Chelsea back-line.
ST: Callum Robinson
Robinson was effective last week at Everton and almost found the back of the net with Pickford beating away his early effort. Hopefully can do a similar job to support the likes of Diangana and Pereira. Set to lead the line again.
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