View: Snodgrass to start as Big Sam rings changes for FA Cup – West Brom predicted XI v B’pool
Sam Allardyce is predicted to make wholesale changes to the West Brom starting line-up ahead of their FA Cup third-round clash with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.
It has been widely reported that West Ham winger Robert Snodgrass will undergo a medical with Albion on Thursday ahead of signing an 18-month deal at The Hawthorns [Express & Star]. If that transfer is completed in time for the trip to Blackpool, we predict that he will be thrown straight into Allardyce’s starting line-up so he can become accustomed to his new club and gain vital match fitness.
In total, we predict that Allardyce will make all 11 changes to his squad, handing opportunities to players who are yet to show their worth since Slaven Bilic’s controversial sacking last month.
David Button started both of Albion’s Carabao Cup games so it is very likely that the number two goalkeeper will replace Sam Johnstone in between the sticks at Bloomfield Road this weekend.
Lee Peltier could start at right-back with Kyle Bartley and Cedric Kipre in the middle of the defence and Kieran Gibbs returning from injury at left-back.
Rekeem Harper could be handed a rare start in the midfield. The 20-year-old came off the bench in the defeat to Arsenal last week to make his first appearance since the Carabao Cup loss to Brentford in September. Allardyce might want to see what he can do against League One side Blackpool and start him in a midfield trio with Jake Livermore and Filip Krovinovic.
On the wings, Kamil Grosicki could get a chance to show his worth on the left with Snodgrass coming in on the right as Matt Philips and Grady Diangana are rested.
Up front, it is likely that Charlie Austin will start with Callum Robinson being dropped to the bench. Karlan Grant is injured for the coming weeks and won’t be available for the match against Blackpool on Saturday.
West Brom haven’t played Blackpool in almost 10 years with their last meeting coming at The Hawthorns on January 15, 2011.
It was some game for those who remember it as Peter Odemwingie scored a late winner to secure a 3-2 victory for the Baggies.
Albion fans will be praying for a similar outcome this weekend in order to progress in the FA Cup.
In other West Brom news, Albion are ready to make an offer to sign this 51-cap striker with Grant injured.
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