Confirmed West Brom team news: Five defenders in XI v Leicester as Bilic shakes things up
West Brom manager Slaven Bilic has named an unusual starting line-up for the Baggies’ Premier League opener against Leicester City at The Hawthorns on Sunday.
As confirmed via Albion’s official Twitter account prior to kick-off, Dara O’Shea, Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley, Darnell Furlong and Kieran Gibbs have all been named to start by Bilic, suggesting he is lining up with a back-five against the Foxes.
Romaine Sawyers and Jake Livermore start in the midfield with a front-three of Matheus Pereira, Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson making up Bilic’s outfield.
West Brom do not have the best of records against Leicester in recent years – especially when they have played at home.
The Baggies have lost all of their last four meetings with the Foxes at The Hawthorns with striker Jamie Vardy scoring in every match.
Speaking ahead of the season opener this weekend, Kevin Phillips told West Brom News that Vardy, 33, is someone who Bilic’s defence will need to keep close watch of.
Phillips said: “You won’t get any peace. Any slight mistake or any dwelling on the ball, Jamie will shut you down and he will punish you.
“They’re going to have to be right on their toes in that defensive area.
“Jamie will want to hit the ground running. Knowing him the way I know him, he’ll get off the mark pretty quick.”
Prior to relegation over two years ago, West Brom’s defence didn’t feature the paciest of players and Semi Ajayi’s arrival at The Hawthorns last year did add some much-needed legs to the back-line.
It will be an interesting battle between him and Vardy – and one that hopefully the Nigeria international wins.
In other West Brom news, Richard Keys has tipped Bilic to leave The Hawthorns before Christmas.
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