View: Sawyers finally dropped in 3 changes – West Brom predicted XI vs Man United
West Brom will attempt to end their dreadful run of form when they host Manchester United on Sunday.
One win in nine league games led Sam Allardyce to make big changes to his side last week, which included dropping Matheus Pereira.
That was a shock that didn’t work out well as Albion now have one win in ten.
There were positives to take from that performance, however, Mbaye Diagne was a threat in the air and we looked a lot more organised at the back – Son Heung-Min’s counter-attack goal aside.
As a result, not too many changes are in order, though there could be a first start for Okay Yoskuslu.
With Pereira back and Darnell Furlong to replace Lee Peltier, here is how we predict Big Sam will line-up.
The obvious exclusion from the team is Romaine Sawyers, and it has been a long time coming given the recent criticism of the £12,500 a week star.
Jake Livermore was finally dropped last week and we saw an improvement from the midfield.
We would be a lot more robust with Yokuslu, 26, playing the shielding role instead of Sawyers.
He would be tasked with man-marking the deadly Bruno Fernandes, and we have confidence in his ability to succeed at that.
Last week he enjoyed a 12-minute cameo and made a remarkable three tackles while winning five out of six duels (SofaScore).
His combative style reminds us of Claudio Yacob and will allow him to break up Man United’s flow and frustrate their more creative outlets.
In recent weeks Sheffield United and West Ham have done that against the Red Devils to great effect, and Big Sam will likely look to replicate their methods.
In attack there is little doubt that Diagne should lead the line as he came close to scoring last week with his two disallowed goals.
He should have gained bit more understanding of the Premier League, and the pace of the game, so hopefully he irons out those little mistakes on Sunday.
Conor Townsend and Robert Snodgrass set-up chances for him against Spurs and with Pereira starting Diagne should get a goalscoring chance.
Pereira has 1.9 key passes per game in his career (WhoScored) and although he does not often play on the left, it is a role that could suit him.
A return of seven crosses or long balls in Pereria’s last five games (WyScout) means we should pose a threat on both flanks.
In other West Brom news, ‘I would have stayed’ – West Brom favourite explains he did not want to leave in 2016.