View: One change in Bilic 4-2-3-1 – West Brom predicted XI v Stoke
OPINION
Slaven Bilic is predicted to make just one change to the West Brom starting line-up ahead of their Championship showdown with Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium on Monday.
Nathan Ferguson is set to serve a three-match ban after he was sent off in Albion’s 2-2 draw against Charlton last week and the teenager is expected to be replaced by Conor Townsend in the left-back role.
Kieran Gibbs has been absent lately with a foot injury and Townsend’s impressive form off the bench in the last two matches means that the ex-Scunthorpe full-back could get the nod to start on Monday night.
Sam Johnstone is predicted to start in goals behind a back-four of Darnell Furlong, Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley and Townsend.
Ahmed Hegazi is likely to remain on the bench despite West Brom conceding two goals in each of their last two matches due to the impressive form of Bartley.
Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers have been mainstays of the central midfield positions so could start there again on Monday.
In the attack, Matt Phillips and Grady Diangana could start on the wings with Matheus Pereira occupying the number 10 role behind centre-forward Charlie Austin.
Stoke are bottom of the table and without a manager after parting company with Nathan Jones earlier this week.
West Brom’s fortunes could not be more opposite to Stoke’s with the Baggies looking to return to the top of the Championship table with a win in the Potteries.
In other West Brom news, this ex-Albion man is in contention to become the next Stoke boss.