View: Wholesale changes on the cards – West Brom predicted XI v Newcastle
Slaven Bilic is predicted to make plenty of changes to his West Brom starting line-up for the FA Cup fifth-round clash against Newcastle United on Tuesday.
West Brom failed to end February unbeaten at the weekend when Wigan stunned The Hawthorns by winning 1-0 courtesy of Sam Morsy’s second-half goal.
Bilic did not make many changes to his starting line-up throughout February and it could be that tiredness was one of the reasons why Albion lost against the relegation-threatened Latics on their own turf.
And that could be why Bilic opts to hand chances to his fringe players when Newcastle visit The Hawthorns on Tuesday, even though a spot in the quarter-finals is up for grabs.
Jonathan Bond has been Bilic’s go-to goalkeeper in cup matches this season so he is predicted to replace Sam Johnstone in between the sticks.
Darnell Furlong could get his first start since January 20 by replacing Dara O’Shea at right-back while Bilic has confirmed that Kieran Gibbs will start after recovering from his hamstring injury.
Ahmed Hegazi went off injured in the loss to Wigan so Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi are expected to be the Baggies centre-backs against Newcastle.
The Express & Star has reported that Chris Brunt and Gareth Barry are vying for starts so that could hand Bilic a chance to rest Jake Livermore and Filip Krovinovic.
Rekeem Harper could keep his starting spot though with Romaine Sawyers set to return from his suspension after this match.
In the attack, Callum Robinson and Kamil Grosicki are cup-tied while Grady Diangana remains out with his injury. That means that Kyle Edwards could start on the left-wing with Matt Phillips on the right.
Charlie Austin is predicted to complete the line-up by spearheading the Baggies attack.
In other West Brom news, Kevin Phillips has discussed if Diangana was rushed back from his injury too soon in January.