View: Bilic to axe three players after major update – West Brom predicted XI v Newcastle
Slaven Bilic is predicted to ring the changes to his West Brom starting line-up ahead of the trip to Newcastle on Saturday.
After Albion suffered a 5-1 hammering at the hands of Crystal Palace on Sunday, Bilic is likely to roll the dice on what could be a decisive game in terms of his future at The Hawthorns.
According to the Mirror, Bilic may have just one match to save his job and that is why we’re predicting him to make four changes to his starting 11 at St James’ Park.
He’s going to be forced into one change anyway with Matheus Pereira suspended after his controversial red card against Palace.
Albion have since appealed against a three-match ban but were unsuccessful in their efforts [Express & Star].
We’re also predicting Matt Phillips, Romaine Sawyers and Grady Diangana to be axed from the side that were humiliated by Palace.
Kieran Gibbs is predicted to come in and replace Phillips as the left-sided wing-back with Jake Livermore returning to replace Sawyers in the middle. Filip Krovinovic might come in for the suspended Pereira and Diangana could be replaced by Callum Robinson.
Bilic is predicted to start Sam Johnstone in goal with the goalkeeper being one of the bright lights of West Brom’s torrid start to life back in the Premier League.
Semi Ajayi, Branislav Ivanovic and Kyle Bartley could start as the back-three with Darnell Furlong the right-sided wing-back and Gibbs on the left.
We’re predicting Livermore will start at the base of the midfield to offer the back-line some extra defensive support with Conor Gallagher and Krovinovic in more advanced roles ahead of him.
Up front, Karlan Grant needs to find his shooting boots very soon to justify West Brom’s decision to spend the whole of the last transfer window chasing him. He’s likely to start but we also think Robinson will join him in the attack with the ex-Sheffield United man proving to be more useful so far this season.
In other West Brom news, Kevin Phillips claims this outcast could be knocking on Bilic’s door demanding answers.
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