View: Bilic to make four changes – West Brom predicted XI v Middlesbrough
Slaven Bilic is predicted to make four changes to the West Brom starting line-up ahead of their clash against Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns on Sunday.
Ahmed Hegazi, Filip Krovinovic and Charlie Austin could all be dropped by the Baggies boss, who may hand recalls to Kyle Bartley, Kyle Edwards and Matt Phillips.
Kieran Gibbs could also miss out for Albion after suffering an injury late on in the 1-1 draw at Barnsley and might be replaced by Nathan Ferguson if he is fully fit.
Bilic confirmed after the draw on Boxing Day that Bartley was on the verge of a return to fitness after missing the match at Oakwell but this weekend’s game is likely to come too soon for Grady Diangana [Birmingham Mail].
Sam Johnstone is pretty much nailed on to start in goals behind a back-four of Darnell Furlong, Semi Ajayi, Bartley and Ferguson.
Romaine Sawyers and Jake Livermore are expected to start in the centre of the midfield, as they have done with all but one Championship fixture this season.
Phillips could return on the right-wing with Edwards coming back into the side on the left and Matheus Pereira keeping his spot as the central attacking midfielder.
Bilic could go with either Hal Robson-Kanu or Charlie Austin up front but we predicted that it will be the Welshman who gets the nod based on West Brom’s form when he has been starting.
In other West Brom news, fans blasted this summer signing after the draw at Barnsley.