View: Diagne to start in big Allardyce change – West Brom predicted XI v Sheff Utd
Mbaye Diagne is predicted to earn his full debut for West Brom on Tuesday when they take on relegation rivals Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Diagne, 29, came off the bench to assist a goal in the 2-2 draw with Fulham on Saturday but is now expected to feature in Sam Allardyce’s starting line-up to take on Chris Wilder’s 20th-placed side.
Big Sam could also change the formation from the back-five he started versus Fulham to a flat back-four, which will mean Dara O’Shea is the player who’s dropped to accommodate Diagne.
Okay Yokuslu and Ainsley Maitland-Niles were both signed by the Baggies on deadline day but the match against the Blades comes too soon for them with them expected to be involved away at Tottenham at the weekend.
Sam Johnstone is pretty much nailed on to start in goals and could play behind a back-four of Darnell Furlong, Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley and Kieran Gibbs.
Jake Livermore and Conor Gallagher could line up in the centre of the midfield with Romaine Sawyers left out again.
In the attack, January signing Robert Snodgrass is expected to start on the right-wing with Matheus Pereira in the No 10 role. On the left-wing, Callum Robinson could feature with the game possibly coming too soon for Grady Diangana, who’s on the mend after a recent injury setback.
Diagne is likely to get the nod to start up front after impressing off the bench on Saturday against Fulham.
West Brom beat Sheffield United 1-0 earlier in the season when they met at The Hawthorns with Gallagher scoring the only goal.
A similar result this weekend could see Allardyce’s side move up to 18th in the table while a win for Sheffield United would still see them stay bottom.
In other West Brom news, this Sky Sports pundit is puzzled by the situation surrounding a “creative force” who Albion signed.
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