Jake Livermore returns, Bruce to alter system – West Brom predicted XI vs Hull
West Brom desperately need points and Steve Bruce desperately needs a win when they travel down to the MKM Stadium to take on Hull in the Championship this weekend.
The Baggies fell to yet another defeat on Monday night at the hands of Swansea to make it six losses in their last seven games and no wins in five under Bruce’s management.
But the former Hull boss is able to welcome back a key player for the first time since his first game in charge and will hope that can help towards turning their fortunes around.
In goal there is no reason to change Sam Johnstone, who is still one of the best goalkeepers in the division despite recent results.
In defence the return of Dara O’Shea has seen some good performances, while Semi Ajayi’s installment at centre-back has been positive from a unit point of view. Both should continue alongside Kyle Bartley and Conor Townsend in an unchanged back line.
Ahead of them, Adam Reach’s spell as a central midfielder should finally come to an end thanks to the return of captain Jake Livermore.
His four game suspension is finally over and he should come straight back into the team in a holding midfield role, while should allow for Jayson Molumby and Adam Mowatt to play in more familiar roles in a 4-3-3 formation.
Callum Robinson hit the woodwork twice in the defeat to Swansea and was a general threat throughout so should keep his place, while the pace of Grady Diangana was a positive on the opposite flank.
Bruce could be tempted to bring in Karlan Grant once again as he is their top scorer, but expect Monday’s wide men to get another go from the start.
Andy Carroll will continue to lead the line in the absence of injured January signing Daryl Dike, and will look to score his first goal since making the move from Reading last month.
Predicted XI: Johnstone; O’Shea, Ajayi, Bartley, Townsend; Livermore, Mowatt, Molumby; Diangana, Carroll, Robinson.
In other West Brom news, ‘Home truths’ – Steve Bruce reveals anger at West Brom squad after defeat v Swansea