View: Two new signings to start in first Bilic PL line-up – West Brom predicted XI v Leicester
West Brom kick-off their 2020/21 Premier League campaign on Sunday afternoon by welcoming Leicester City to The Hawthorns.
It’s a tough start to the season for the Baggies, who won automatic promotion from the Championship on the final day of last season by finishing second.
And Slaven Bilic’s starting line-up against Leicester this weekend is likely to be very similar to the sides he named in the Championship due to the lack of new arrivals at The Hawthorns in the current transfer window.
Matheus Pereira, Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson have seen their loan deals turned into permanent ones while Cedric Kipre and David Button are the only new fresh faces in Bilic’s squad ahead of the season-opener.
We do not envisage either of them getting into the starting line-up against Leicester, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season, with Pereira and Diangana the only signings to make Bilic’s 11.
Sam Johnstone is very much nailed on to start in goals as since joining West Brom two years ago, the former Manchester United goalkeeper has started every single league game and Button has only arrived from Brighton to serve as back-up to him.
We think that Bilic’s back-four will be Darnell Furlong, Ahmed Hegazi, Semi Ajayi and Kieran Gibbs. Furlong could be picked over Dara O’Shea at right-back so that he can cope with Leicester’s pacey attackers while Hegazi is likely to win the battle against Kipre and Kyle Bartley to start alongside Ajayi.
Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers are predicted to start in the central midfield roles with Bilic yet to add any new players to that part of his squad.
Matt Phillips could start on the right-wing with Diangana on the left and Pereira in his usual number 10 role behind the striker.
West Brom’s number one transfer priority since the end of last season is bound to have been signing a new striker but, so far, Bilic and Luke Dowling have failed to do that.
While Robinson is back at The Hawthorns, he only arrived this week and might not be ready to start yet.
Hal Robson-Kanu has recently returned from international duty with Wales and Charlie Austin started the 0-0 draw with Brighton last weekend so we expect the ex-Southampton striker to spearhead the Baggies’ attack against Leicester.
In other West Brom news, Richard Keys has tipped Bilic to leave The Hawthorns before Christmas.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.